Anti-gay mayor in net sex sting - World - theage.com.au

Anti-gay mayor in net sex sting - World - theage.com.au: "
May 12, 2005

A conservative Republican mayor has taken leave after being lured into gay internet sexual exchanges by his local newspaper.

Jim West, who has a history of opposing homosexual law reform, did not deny visiting gay internet chat rooms or having relationships with men, but did deny allegations that he molested two boys more than 25 years ago when he was a sheriff's deputy and Scout leader.

The paper, The Spokesman-Review hired a computer expert to pose as a 17-year-old male who engaged Mr West, Mayor of Spokane and one of the most powerful politicians in Washington state, in an online relationship. The newspaper accused him of using his various offices - as a sheriff's deputy, Scout leader and politician - to develop sexual relationships with boys and young men.

Mr West, a former state legislator, opposed gay reform bills in 1985 and 1987, and in 1986 tried and failed to pass a bill that would have barred gays from working in schools, day-care centres and some state agencies. The bill called for screening prospective employees for sexual orientation and firing workers whose sexual lives became known."