They way that I handle this situation of deleted posts is the following:
I make a forum named "Special Folder" ( or you can name it anything you want) and put this forum in the "administrative Category". Then I only give access to the "Special Folder" to moderators and me. I have instructed my moderators NEVER to delete a post...as once it is deleted it is gone for ever.......Rather I instruct them to MOVE any questionable thread in this "Special Folder" and to make a reply to the post in question telling us why they removed it from public access. This was I can keep track of what posts (and posters) I need to review. This allows me to make sure mods aren't getting to aggressive in their jobs. If it turns out that the post in question is one that appears to be ok.....I can move it back to the correct forum and.
This system has worked for me for three years now.
Musky
