SPOKANE, Wash. – A private investigator hired by the City Council says Mayor Jim West, who is facing a recall election over a sex scandal, violated the city’s Internet policy and state law.

In an 18-page report released late Friday, Mark Busto concluded the mayor broke state law by offering a position on the city’s Human Rights Commission to a young man he pursued for a sexual relationship.

Busto also concluded West violated the city’s personnel policy on Internet access by “frequent and extensive use” of his city computer during the work day to browse pictures of men posted at a gay Web site, The Spokesman-Review reported.

“I find that Mayor West has engaged in a pattern and practice of linking discussions of sex with young men online with offers of city positions, both paid and unpaid,” Busto said in his report.

The mayor has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime.

West denounced the report and its conclusions Friday night, calling it politically timed to influence voters. Ballots for the recall election were mailed Friday.

“He’s not a judge, he’s not a jury,” West said of Busto.

The council hired Busto, a Bellevue attorney, in September after West refused to heed council votes calling for his resignation. Under the current city charter, the City Council doesn’t have the power to impeach or remove the city’s chief executive.