The latest chapter in the Jim West story involves an FBI investigation the Spokesman-Review is reporting:
The FBI is in the initial phases of a possible "public corruption" case involving allegations that Spokane Mayor Jim West abused his office by offering jobs to young men he hoped to entice into sexual relationships, a senior Justice Department official said today.Mr. Rice, you are not alone. There are a lot of people who are trying to figure out where this might all lead. This scandal has unraveled so quickly, it's stunning. And, every time I check out the Spokesman-Review web page, it seems there is another development. That paper is kicking butt on this story.
FBI agents on Wednesday are expected to interview Ryan Oelrich and another man, both 24, who said they were independently offered City Hall jobs and a position on the Human Rights Commission after online chats with a man who turned out to be West.
"The FBI has opened what's called a 'preliminary inquiry' to determine whether a full-blown investigation should occur," said Thomas O. Rice, chief criminal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington.
He said he couldn't discuss particulars of the investigation or where it might lead.
That West was able to keep this all quiet for so long is actually pretty creepy, too. Makes you wonder if there isn't some GOP "down low" where they all cover for each other.
