Mayor Jackson Denies Interfering In Grandson's Investigation

CLEVELAND — In a video message shared with the public on Thursday morning, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson denied interfering with the investigation into his grandson for assault. The mayor said neither he nor anyone associated with him had any involvement in the investigation or determination of charges against Frank Q . Jackson.

"I do not, have not and will not interfere [with an investigation]," Jackson said.

Frank Q. Jackson, 22, is accused of punching and strangling his girlfriend in the parking lot of a gas station, according to police reports. The girlfriend later told police she felt as if she was going to pass out, WKYC reported. City prosecutors initially declined to prosecute the younger Jackson because the girlfriend did not wish to press charges.

After video of the incident was released, prosecutors moved forward with charging Frank Q. and he was indicted by a grand jury on September 4. He turned himself into law enforcement on September 5, according to Fox 8. He will be arraigned on September 18.

Jackson said he had no influence on the investigation and said if an accused person was related to the mayor, or a police officer, or a waste collector, "the process is what it is."

"I know what your basic question is — should everything be reviewed if it involved the mayor's family? Well, should it be reviewed if anybody with any kind of authority at the city [is involved]? We have a process that's in place and that process is valid and legitimate and is not interfered with," Jackson said.

Jackson went on to deny telling police officers to turn off their body cameras or telling officers how to pursue an investigation.

"The mayor did not tell anyone to turn off or turn on a camera. The mayor has in no way, nor has any of his staff, interfered with any of these things that have occurred," he said.

The full video message from Mayor Jackson is below.