East St. Louis mayor says he's talked to feds

EAST ST. LOUIS -- Mayor Alvin Parks said the FBI interviewed him Friday as part of an investigation into the city liquor commission, which he heads.

The meeting came a day after federal agents, including from the FBI and Internal Revenue Service, searched Parks' City Hall office and carted away boxes of documents related to liquor licenses.

Parks, who said he also was to meet Friday with the U.S. Attorney's office, would not detail his discussion with the FBI, but told The Associated Press officials are "looking at situations and allegations related to the liquor commission."

"This is an ongoing investigation and we as the city of East St. Louis and I as an individual are in complete cooperation and support of their operations," Parks said.

As mayor, Parks heads the liquor commission. He said he is confident he has done nothing wrong. The only other person on the board is deputy liquor commissioner Walter Hill.

"I know I haven't done anything wrong," Parks said. "I'm hoping that no one has. I'm hoping the investigation bears that out."

A telephone listing for Hill could not be immediately found Friday.

Parks said he has advised Hill not to speak publicly; he did not know if Hill had talked to investigators.

The mayor said the probe appears to focus on recent liquor commission activity and "may be looking at other things inside City Hall or the community."

Parks, mayor since May 2007, said he welcomes the investigation.

"I am looking to make sure efforts to bring integrity to our community are definitely supported," he said. "They still have lot work to do, files to go through, situations to research. Whatever they need, we're going to supply."

FBI Supervisory Special Agent Marshall Stone declined Thursday to confirm the focus of the investigation. His phone rang unanswered on Friday.