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Greitens’ resignation official, Fitzpatrick questions financial aspects of investigation

June 6, 2018
Charlea Estes-Jones & Isaac Estes-Jones

               Former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens resigned from his position on Friday, June 1, at 5 p.m. after his time in office rife with controversy and indictments. This follows almost five months of controversy surrounding Greitens regarding an extramarital affair and possible misuse of fundraiser lists for campaign contributions that got him elected into office. Lt. Governor Mike Parson was sworn in Friday, and State Representative Scott Fitzpatrick, R-Shell Knob, released a statement saying he would continue to look into a variety of ethical and legal issues that surround the governor’s time in office and resignation.
               Fitzpatrick said, “As we move forward, I stand ready to work with Governor Parson to better our state, and will be available to assist him in any way I can as he transitions into the office.  Although this disappointing chapter in our state’s history is coming to an end, it is my hope that the General Assembly will continue to work to identify the source of the money that was used to finance the attorneys that were hired to expose the governor.  
               “I also hope that investigation will extend to the potentially illegal fundraising practices and activity of the “A New Missouri” organization which financed unfounded attacks on members of the General Assembly from the governor’s own party in an attempt to further his agenda.  If there is one thing that is certain, it is that there are people who did bad things on both sides of these situations, and I believe that all of them should be exposed, just as the governor has been exposed.”
               By his own admission, Greitens carried on an affair with his hairdresser in the spring of 2015. Information about this affair first became public in January 2018 after a television station in St. Louis broke the story. During this time, allegations that Greitens took a semi-nude photo of the woman for use as blackmail surfaced. The former Governor vehemently denied these allegations up to the day he resigned.
               On February 22, a grand jury in St. Louis County indicted Greitens on a charge of invasion of privacy for taking the alleged photograph. That charge was dropped on May 14 in St. Louis, and closed if Greitens resigned.
               In early March, a special committee of Missouri State Representatives was appointed to look into the allegations against the Governor. On April 11, the committee released a report with additional details about the alleged misconduct by the Governor. This first report detailed what several witnesses, including the former mistress, allege occurred during the affair and invasion of privacy. The committee found the woman to be “an overall credible witness.” Greitens and his attorney refused to communicate with the committee, citing a non-disclosure agreement due to the invasion of privacy case.
               Then, on April 20, Greitens was indicted by grand jury in St. Louis for allegedly obtaining a donor list from a charity he formed to use to raise campaign funds. Use of charity donor lists for political fundraising is against campaign finance laws.
               The Investigative Committee released a second report, this time covering the alleged theft of the donor list, on May 2. The report found that, among other things, Greitens and his team deliberately obtained the donor list to raise funds for the bid for Governor.
               A special session was called to consider the findings of the special investigative committee, where lawmakers were to determine whether or not to file articles of impeachment against Greitens, on May 22. However, Greitens announced his resignation on May 29, effective June 1.
               Greitens cited continuing stress on his family to be the reason he was resigning during the press conference May 29.
               Fitzpatrick later said, “I am saddened by all the people of Missouri have been forced to endure over the last several months.  I wish the governor well and will be praying for him, his family, his staff, and the other people impacted by the scandals that enveloped the office of the governor.”
               New governor Mike Parson served in the Missouri Senate from 2011 to 2017, the House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011 and Sheriff of Polk County from 1993 to 2005.
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  • Home
  • This Week's Issue
    • Driver charged in crash that killed one near Carr Lane
    • Dozens voice opinions on future of old Jenkins bridge
    • Former local teacher charged for sex with student
    • Barry County courts sentence 10 for felonies during November
    • Local officer charged with marijuana possession
    • Wildcat Takedown Club to compete in District 5 tournament
    • Purdy Lady Eagles edge Southwest in regular season finale
    • Cassville's Artherton pins down fourth place at State wrestling
    • Washburn Chamber banquet slated for Feb. 23
    • Purdy, Wheaton, and Exeter girls advance in district basketball
    • Cassville FCCLA attends regional competition
    • Making Memories Tours owner Jerry Varner elected to NTA Board
    • Former substitute teacher turns herself in for statutory rape charges
  • FFA Week 2019
  • Classifieds
  • Obituaries
  • Advertising
    • Advertising Rates
    • Explore
    • Place Ad
  • Archives
    • Contact us