Posted on 05/11/2005 6:18:57 AM PDT by MisterRepublican
SPOKANE -- The FBI has opened an inquiry into a possible "public corruption" case involving accusations that Mayor James West offered city jobs to young men he met online, a federal prosecutor confirmed yesterday as West began a temporary leave.
The FBI involvement was confirmed by Thomas Rice, chief criminal prosecutor for the U.S. attorney's office here, The Spokesman-Review reported in a copyright story posted late yesterday on its Web site.
Agents were expected to interview Ryan Oelrich and another man, both 24, who said they were independently offered City Hall jobs after online chats with a man who turned out to be West, the newspaper reported.
"The FBI has opened what's called a 'preliminary inquiry' to determine whether a full-blown investigation should occur," Rice said.
"We can assure the public it's being looked at for possible violations of federal law," he told the newspaper, declining to discuss further details.
Associated Press calls for comment placed late yesterday to the Spokane FBI office and U.S. attorney's office were not immediately returned.
Spokane City Attorney Mike Connelly earlier launched an investigation of allegations that West offered internships in exchange for sex. Connelly is also investigating whether West's City Hall computer was used improperly.
Meanwhile, Shannon Sullivan of Spokane has filed paperwork to begin a recall of the mayor. If a Superior Court judge authorizes the recall in a hearing, she would have 180 days to gather at least 12,567 signatures to place it on the ballot.
Calls for West's resignation continued over the job-offer allegations and old accusations of child molestation.
West, a 54-year-old former Republican state Senate leader and opponent of gay rights legislation, last week denied the decades-old molestation allegations, but acknowledged he had visited a gay online chat room and had relations with adult men.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattlepi.nwsource.com ...
Well, Bill Clinton DID set the precedent, after all......
But... its just about sex... move on.
If this guy were a Democrat, would we be hearing about this?
Whited Sepulcher placemarker.
It's his personal life.....
This is just the politics of personal destruction at work....
blah, blah, blah....
West is way overdue for a resignation.
He's obviously such a runt that any form of modesty or human decency is unknown to him.
But he was a democrat...
The Clinton Legacy takes a decidedly indiscreet turn.
This guy forgot the magic words that makes all of the trouble go away:
"I am a gay American..."
I hope those who are calling for his resignation and attempting to have him recalled are successful. The mayor is a disgrace to his city and the Republican party. And if the molestation allegations are true, he should be sent to prison.
However, if this had been a Democrat, the story wouldn't be about West's homosexuality and corruption. No, the story would be how the homophobes in Spokane and at the Spokesman-Review set this poor, dedicated public servant up and how they are now using this case to attack the "gay community".
Thanks for the ping!
These gays are getting on my last nerve. Sex, SEX, Sex is ALL they think about.
Good thing the feds are investigating. Hopefully he'll get some time in the clink, too.
Good thing the feds are investigating. Hopefully he'll get some time in the clink, too.
Oops,sorry for the double post.
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