09:04 PM PDT on Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Associated Press

SPOKANE, Wash. - The FBI has opened an inquiry into a possible "public corruption" case involving accusations that Mayor James West offered city jobs to men he met online, a federal prosecutor confirmed Tuesday as West began a temporary leave.

The FBI involvement was confirmed by Thomas O. Rice, chief criminal prosecutor for the U.S. attorney's office here, The Spokesman-Review reported in a copyright story posted late Tuesday on its Web site.

Agents were expected to interview Ryan Oelrich and another man, both 24, who said they were independently offered City Hall jobs after online chats with a man who turned out to be West, the newspaper reported.

"The FBI has opened what's called a 'preliminary inquiry' to determine whether a full-blown investigation should occur," Rice said.

"We can assure the public it's being looked at for possible violations of federal law," he told the S-R, declining to discuss further details.

Spokane City Attorney Mike Connelly earlier launched an investigation of allegations that West offered internships in exchange for sex. Connelly is also investigating whether West's City Hall computer was used improperly.

Calls for West's resignation continued over the job offer allegations and old accusations of child molestation.

West, a 54-year-old former state Senate leader and opponent of gay rights, last week denied the decades-old molestation allegations, but acknowledged he had visited a gay online chat room and had relations with adult men.

He announced Monday he would take a leave for several weeks to defend himself against the allegations raised by The Spokesman-Review in a series of articles that began last Thursday.

He has not responded to calls for comment since his brief announcement to the City Council.