After 3-Year Probe, Spokane Paper Alleges Sex Abuse by Mayor

[Roland99]

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000911146

The probe grew out of the paper's reporting on a sex-abuse scandal in the Catholic Church in 2002. Rumors circulated then that West had sexually molested young boys when he served as a Boy Scout leader (and a sheriff's deputy) in the late 1970s. Two of his closest friends then, one a sheriff's deputy and the other a Scout leader, committed suicide after those earlier allegations of sex abuse were raised.

Today, the newspaper revealed that Robert J. Galliher claimed in a court deposition that West molested him in the mid-1970s, when he was a boy. A second man, Michael G. Grant Jr., also accused West of sexual abuse during the same period at a Boy Scout.

Stories by the newspaper in 2003 generated tips about West that staff reporters Bill Morlin and Karen Dorn Steele then spent two years investigating, using public records, court documents, interviews, and forensic evidence.

It led them to conclude, as the paper's editor, Steven A. Smith, described it, "that West has led a secret life for more than 25 years. Beyond the serious allegations of sexual abuse, West had been using his position in the Legislature to block gay-rights legislation. And he has been trolling the Internet for young lovers while serving as mayor of Spokane, offering gifts and favors."

Isn't that the part of WA that wanted to split into a new solid-red state? Guess they want to setup their own laws so they can wallow freely in their hypocrisy!

[Diane R]

1. More to this story.

Well, I live in Spokane, and I am livid.

Everyone knew this news. It was common knowledge in some circles for decades. The family who owns the newspaper helped Jim West get re-elected as a state Senator for 22 years. Then, when their scheme to defraud Spokane taxpayers over their downtown shopping mall (Riverpark Square) was unraveling, they handpicked West to become mayor. He, of course, was elected....everyone this family chooses gets elected because they own nearly all the media.

He marched to their tune, and the entire Riverpark Square fiasco was settled to their total satisfaction. It was just 9 days ago that the city council signed off on the last issue....always in terms very beneficial to this prominent family. Now. Just nine days later, the 'expose' hits the front page.

This is how this city works.

[catzies]

2. Welcome to DU, Diane R! Glad you found us!

:hi:

[Roland99]

3. Beautiful.

Thanks for the info and welcome to DU!

[stevedeshazer]

5. Do you think there will be any ramifications for West?

We had a similar thing happen here (in Portland) with Neil Goldschmidt, but these allegations are even more damaging.

I've been to Spokane many times, it's a beautiful city, BTW. You guys deserve better.

[stevedeshazer]

4. Wow, just read the Spokesman-Review article

http://spokesmanreview.com/jimwest/story.asp?ID=050505_westmain

<snip>

In addition, an investigation by The Spokesman-Review has revealed that 17 months after leaving the state Legislature, West has used the trappings of the mayor's office to entice and influence young men he met on a gay Web site.

On one recent occasion, West offered a man he believed to be an 18-year-old – whom he met online at Gay.com – gifts, favors and a City Hall internship, Internet dialogues retained by the newspaper reveal. The 18-year-old was actually a forensic computer expert working for the newspaper.

Last June, West went on a dinner date with another 18-year-old he met in the same gay chat room. The young man, initially unaware of his date's identity, paid for dinner, and then was allowed to drive West's blue Lexus convertible. The evening ended with consensual sex, the 18-year-old told the newspaper.

Rob Galliher has accused Jim West and David D. Hahn, who were Spokane County sheriff's deputies at the time, of child molestation in the 1970s. (Brian Plonka/The Spokesman-Review)