Charleston man under fire for controversial Facebook comments

CHARLESTON, Ill. (WICS/WCCU) — A Central Illinois business owner is under fire after posting a controversial Facebook post using a racial slur.

Dennis Drake owns Drake Excavating and Construction in Charleston.

Drake said he was angry after hearing about looters breaking into stores and destroying property. He said he is not racist.

Many people have not been supporting online.

The original post has been deleted, but screenshots of it are still being posted online, with someone people saying not to support Drake's business anymore.

Drake posted a response on his company's Facebook page. In part, it said:

"If you support killing cops, burning private businesses down and vandalism and looting, you are part of the problem with this country and you're the scum of the earth!"

Charleston Mayor Dr. Brandon T. Combs issued a statement, saying in part:

"It has come to my attention that over the last week, there has been some hateful commentary online. Any hate speech that makes its way to my public page will of course be taken down immediately; but let me be clear: I reject it. It is not worthy of public consideration."

Many Charleston residents said they saw the post, but did not want to speak with us about it. A lot of people know the Drake family personally. Drake also does construction for many people in town.

Drake declined the opportunity to speak about the incident on-camera or via telephone.