FAST FACTS:
"I feel confident I have not crossed that line."
But it appears federal investigators aren't convinced. Herenton released a response to receiving a target investigation letter from federal investigators.
Mayor AC Wharton, who's also a criminal defense attorney, says in his experience, federal target letters are no joke.
"They're serious. You don't play with target letters. It takes a long time to get to that."
One legal expert told us after a target letter an indictment typically comes sooner rather than later.
That could spell disaster for Herenton's run at the 9th District U.S. Congressional seat.
Herenton's letter calls the target letter nothing more than a, "well orchestrated attempt to influence the outcome of the congressional election next year."
But legal experts tell us target letters aren't public. Begging the question whether Herenton released the letter as a political move to rally his base.
Herenton's attorney, Robert Spence, says the letter was bound to leak out.
He says the letter was bound to leak out.
"In this case someone involved in the investigation has consistently made everything public."
In the three page letter Herenton also notes that after he announced he was running for congress, federal intimidation tactics intensified.
He claims the federal investigators and former Mayor Pro-Tem Myron Lowery were part of a vast plot to undermine him with illegally obtained, confidential city documents.
"All records at City Hall are public records and open to the media and public. The FBI gave a subpoena to City Hall and we cooperated with that subpoena."
A message left for Herenton was not returned.
- Herenton admits to getting federal "target letter"
- Legal experts say indictment could be next
- Herenton says letter is politically motivated to derail congressional bid
"I feel confident I have not crossed that line."
But it appears federal investigators aren't convinced. Herenton released a response to receiving a target investigation letter from federal investigators.
Mayor AC Wharton, who's also a criminal defense attorney, says in his experience, federal target letters are no joke.
"They're serious. You don't play with target letters. It takes a long time to get to that."
One legal expert told us after a target letter an indictment typically comes sooner rather than later.
That could spell disaster for Herenton's run at the 9th District U.S. Congressional seat.
Herenton's letter calls the target letter nothing more than a, "well orchestrated attempt to influence the outcome of the congressional election next year."
But legal experts tell us target letters aren't public. Begging the question whether Herenton released the letter as a political move to rally his base.
Herenton's attorney, Robert Spence, says the letter was bound to leak out.
He says the letter was bound to leak out.
"In this case someone involved in the investigation has consistently made everything public."
In the three page letter Herenton also notes that after he announced he was running for congress, federal intimidation tactics intensified.
He claims the federal investigators and former Mayor Pro-Tem Myron Lowery were part of a vast plot to undermine him with illegally obtained, confidential city documents.
"All records at City Hall are public records and open to the media and public. The FBI gave a subpoena to City Hall and we cooperated with that subpoena."
A message left for Herenton was not returned.
