Attorney general
will not investigate Spokane mayor

The state of Washington will defer to the FBI in an initial investigation of Spokane mayor James E. West, who has been accused of using his office to seek sexual favors from other men, Atty. Gen. Rob McKenna says. Responding to a request from city attorney Michael F. Connelly, McKenna said Thursday he plans to wait for the outcome of a preliminary FBI investigation into whether any crimes actually occurred. "Upon completion of its preliminary investigation, the FBI will share its conclusions with the State Patrol," McKenna said. After that, patrol officials will decide whether to begin a full investigation into any violations of state law, and the FBI will decide whether to pursue any violations of federal law, McKenna said. McKenna said he discussed his options with State Patrol chief John R. Batiste and Spokane County prosecutor Steven J. Tucker. Batiste and the FBI decided not to duplicate each other's efforts, McKenna said. Also on Thursday, Gov. Christine O. Gregoire expressed sympathy for residents of Spokane who are dealing with the scandal. Gregoire, who attended law school at Gonzaga University in Spokane, said the outing of West as a gay man and reports by The Spokesman-Review that he used his office to pursue sexual favors were "unfortunate" for the city. "My heart goes out to the people of Spokane and what must be for them a very difficult time," said Gregoire, a Democrat. Meanwhile, Penny Lancaster, leader of the antigay group Community Impact Spokane, said the West case shows the danger of efforts such as a recent campaign to extend domestic-partner benefits to city employees. "We hope that the Spokane city council will now realize that endorsing homosexuality through domestic-partner benefits gives social approval to the very behavior that has led to public and private shame from Mr. West's actions," she said. The domestic-partner ordinance, which West opposed, was passed by the council on April 25 with enough votes to overcome any veto. Lancaster said her group plans to try to repeal the law through a referendum. Lancaster's group has also opposed private efforts to create a so-called gay district in the city. West, a conservative Republican and longtime opponent of gay rights who became mayor in January 2004, has taken a leave of absence. (AP)