| Topic: |
Politics > Politics-USA |
| User: |
"Harry Hope" |
| Date: |
06 May 2005 06:16:25 PM |
| Object: |
Gay Sex Scandal Rocks Washington State Republican, Spokane Mayor |
From The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 5/6/05:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/223201_west06.html
Friday, May 6, 2005
Gay sex scandal rocks Spokane
Mayor denies he abused boys in 1970s or misused his office
By CHRIS McGANN AND KATHY MULADY
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTERS
Spokane Mayor Jim West, who championed an anti-gay agenda during his
tenure as one of the most powerful Republicans in the Legislature,
yesterday admitted to using the trappings of his current office to
entice what he thought was a young adult man but denied allegations
that he molested two young boys more than 20 years ago.
West confirmed to The Spokesman-Review of Spokane that he offered
gifts, favors and a City Hall internship during Internet chats with a
man he believed was 18.
The online pen pal was actually a forensic computer expert working for
the newspaper.
After the story hit the newsstands yesterday, West sent city staffers
a remorseful e-mail.
"I want to sincerely apologize to you personally for the shame I have
brought to the Mayor's office and the city," West wrote.
"I stumbled and let you down."
The accusations of child molestation stem from The Spokesman-Review's
three-year investigation and interviews with two felons who said West
fondled them and forced them to perform sexual acts on him when they
were Boy Scouts.
The accounts have not been confirmed or dismissed by law enforcement
officials, and no investigations are planned.
Nonetheless, West's tacit acknowledgement of gay sex sent political
shock waves across the state.
In more than 20 years in the Legislature, West had initiated
legislation to outlaw sexual contact between consenting teenagers;
supported a bill that would have barred gays and lesbians from working
for schools, day care centers and some state agencies;
voted to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman;
and, as Senate majority leader, allowed a bill that would ban
discrimination against gays and lesbians to die in committee without a
hearing.
As Spokane mayor, West threatened to veto a measure extending benefits
to domestic partners of city employees.
"It's a pretty egregious case of hypocrisy," Washington State
University political scientist Lance LeLoup told The Associated Press.
__________________________________________________________
Nothing to add to this except, if true, RIGHT-WING HYPOCRISY REIGNS!!!
Harry
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