Missouri governor holds on amid scandal
ST. LOUIS — Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens is blaming the felony invasion of privacy indictment against him on a “reckless liberal prosecutor,” holding fast to the assertion that any case stemming from his admitted extramarital affair is politically driven.
But a growing number of GOP lawmakers on Friday were questioning whether Greitens, a Republican, can continue to effectively lead while facing the indictment.
The indictment — handed down by a grand jury and stemming from an investigation by Democratic Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner — alleges that Greitens took a compromising photo of a woman without her consent and transmitted the image to a computer, then threatened her if she spoke of the affair. Greitens has admitted being unfaithful before he won election but has denied criminal wrongdoing. He insists the affair with his former hairdresser was consensual.
Greitens, a married father of two young boys, has denied blackmailing the woman.
Other Republicans remained reserved in their judgment but expressed support for a legislative investigation into Greitens announced by GOP House leaders. An investigation is a necessary step before an impeachment proceeding but does not necessarily lead to one.
The only statewide Missouri official to be convicted, impeached and ousted was Democratic Secretary of State Judy Moriarty in 1994. She was convicted of a misdemeanor for backdating her son’s candidacy paperwork for a state House seat, then impeached by the House and removed by the state Supreme Court.
The state Republican Party was still backing Greitens, but some Republicans were calling on him to resign or face impeachment.
“I cannot see how he could effectively perform the duties of his office, let alone to lead with the kind of moral authority needed to make a positive impact,” said Sen. Kevin Corlew of Kansas City.