FBI to Look at Spokane Mayor First
The state of Washington will defer to the FBI in an initial investigation of Mayor James E. West, who has been accused of using his office to seek sexual favors from men, the attorney general said Thursday.
Atty. Gen. Rob McKenna said the state would prefer to wait for the outcome of a preliminary FBI investigation into whether any crimes had occurred.
After that, the Washington State Patrol will decide if a full investigation into any violations of state law is warranted, while the FBI will decide whether to pursue any violations of federal law, McKenna said.
West, a conservative Republican and longtime gay-rights opponent, has taken a leave of absence.
In a series that began last week, the Spokesman-Review newspaper in Spokane published accusations by two convicted felons who said West molested them more than 20 years ago when he was a Boy Scout leader and sheriff’s deputy.
West, 54, has denied he molested anyone, or had sex with anyone younger than 18.
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