Reply #48: This was common knowledge in Spokane [View All]

[Diane R]

Yet, the Spokesman review did not print any allegations, or an expose, until two weeks after Mayor West engineered a settlement very favorable to the owners of the Spokeman Review.

I have lived in this city forever. These rumors have been rampant. Yet, the Spokesman Review continued to endorse Jim West for his state Senator's position (he became Majority Leader), then helped him become Mayor.

This city is run by one family; the owners of the Spokeman Review. They have fleeced this city for nearly 60 million dollars in a scheme that should have sent them to prison (The RiverPark Square saga). Under Jim West, the city just settled the last case stemming from that case, much to the benefit of the owners of the Spokesman Review.

The other leading candidates for mayor would not have settled the RiverPark Square fiasco to the satisfaction of owners of the Spokeman Review (who also own the vast majority of other media in Spokane). The Spokesman made certain that these allegations would not be made public earlier.

In his political career, Jim West consistently voted favorable to this prominent family. This 'expose' comes out now, right after all legal issues regarding their RiverPark Square buildings are settled.

Once again, the City of Spokane loses.