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RELEASE: Greitens Calls Missouri Farm Bureau, NRA, Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, and Others “Corrupt”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 31st, 2016

CONTACT: David Turner, dturner@chriskoster.com, 213-840-1464

Greitens Calls Missouri Farm Bureau, NRA, Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, and Others “Corrupt”

St. Louis – Eric Greitens seemingly seeks to foment division during every one of his public appearances. Yesterday, he went one step further calling groups who have endorsed Attorney General Koster, “corrupt cronies.” This group includes Missouri Farm Bureau and every major Agricultural group in Missouri, NRA, Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, Missouri’s teachers, Firefighters, and working men and women across this state.

What makes his use of a broad brush more absurd is that many of these organizations have endorsed members of the Republican ticket, including Lt. Governor Mike Parson.

“Being lectured on ethics by Eric Greitens is like getting advice about fire prevention from an arsonist,” said David Turner, a campaign spokesman. “He has run the least transparent, most hypocritical campaign in Missouri history. He is unethical and unprepared for the state’s highest office.”

As you see Eric on the trail, he should explain which members of the broadest coalition to support a governor in decades are corrupt, and what proof he has to make such an outrageous claim.

BACKGROUND

Greitens “And in this election we’re facing Chris Koster who has all of the special interest insiders on his side. He’s got all of his corrupt cronies on Chris Koster’s side.” [Greitens Rally, 10/30/16]

HERE ARE SOME OF THE PEOPLE ERIC GREITENS AFFECTIONATELY REFERS TO AS “CORRUPT CRONIES”:

MISSOURI FARM BUREAU

Kansas City Star Headline: “Democrat Chris Koster Wins Missouri Farm Bureau Endorsement In Governor’s Race.” [Kansas City Star, 8/5/16]

Koster Became “The First Democrat Ever Endorsed For Statewide Office In The 101-Year History Of The Organization.” “Attorney General Chris Koster was endorsed for governor over Republican nominee Eric Greitens and became the first Democrat ever endorsed for statewide office in the 101-year history of the organization, Farm Bureau president Blake Hurst said.” [Columbia Tribune, 8/5/16]

CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION

AP: “The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Endorsed Koster Over Republican Rival Eric Greitens At The State Fair Thursday.” [AP, 8/18/16]

SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION

Missouri Times Headline: “Soybean Association Endorses Koster.” [Missouri Times, 8/11/16]

CORN GROWER’S

Missouri Times Headline: “Koster Earns Corn Grower’s Endorsement.” [Missouri Times, 8/9/16]

PORK ASSOCIATION

Missouri Pork Association: “Missouri Pork Association Endorses Chris Koster for Governor.” [Missouri Pork Association Press Release, 8/25/16]

MISSOURI TEACHERS

The MNEA Endorsed Chris Koster For Governor. [MNEA Press Release, 8/10/16]

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS

Press Release: “Missouri School Administrators Endorse Chris Koster.” [Missouri School Administrators Endorse Chris Koster, 10/6/16]

MISSOURI’S LAW ENFORCEMENT

KOMU Headline: “Police Officers Endorse Chris Koster For Governor.” [KOMU, 8/16/16]

MISSOURI’S FIRE FIGHTERS

Missouri State Council of Firefighters Endorse Chris Koster For Governor. [MSCFF, 10/20/16]

THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Headline: “NRA Endorses Democrat Koster Over Republican Greitens For Missouri Governor.” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 9/6/16]

THE WORKING MEN AND WOMEN OF MISSOURI

  • SEIU

  • Unite HERE

  • UFCW

  • Laborers

  • Communications Workers of America

  • Operating Engineers

  • United Association

  • Sheet Metal Rail and Transportation (SMART)

  • International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

  • IBEW

  • Asbestos Workers

  • Cement Masons

  • Bricklayers

  • MNEA

  • AFT

  • United Steel Workers

  • Elevator Workers

  • Ironworkers

  • Roofers

  • Boilermakers

  • AFSCME

  • APWU

ERIC GREITENS HAS RUN THE MOST UNETHICAL CAMPAIGN IN THE HISTORY OF MISSOURI:

HE USED HIS CHARITIES DONOR LIST TO FUNDRAISE FOR HIS CAMPAIGN — IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW

An Excel Spreadsheet That Was Created By A Mission Continues Employee Was Last Saved By Michael Hafner, Who Had Been Working For Greitens’ Gubernatorial Exploratory Committee. “A separate Excel spreadsheet obtained by the AP suggests that correlation is no coincidence. The spreadsheet, labeled ‘All donors $1K total and up — as of 5-7-14,’ shows the names, email addresses and phone numbers of people who gave at least $1,000 to The Mission Continues. Its properties show it was created by a Mission Continues employee May 6, 2014, shortly before Greitens stepped down as CEO, and was last saved March 24, 2015, by Michael Hafner, who had been working for Greitens’ gubernatorial exploratory committee.” [AP, 10/10/16]

The Spreadsheet “Shows The Names, Email Addresses And Phone Numbers Of People Who Gave At Least $1,000 To The Mission Continues.” “A separate Excel spreadsheet obtained by the AP suggests that correlation is no coincidence. The spreadsheet, labeled ‘All donors $1K total and up — as of 5-7-14,’ shows the names, email addresses and phone numbers of people who gave at least $1,000 to The Mission Continues. Its properties show it was created by a Mission Continues employee May 6, 2014, shortly before Greitens stepped down as CEO, and was last saved March 24, 2015, by Michael Hafner, who had been working for Greitens’ gubernatorial exploratory committee.” [AP, 10/10/16]

The Spreadsheet Was Created By A Mission Continues Employee In May 6, 2014, “Shortly Before Greitens Stepped Down As CEO.” “A separate Excel spreadsheet obtained by the AP suggests that correlation is no coincidence. The spreadsheet, labeled ‘All donors $1K total and up — as of 5-7-14,’ shows the names, email addresses and phone numbers of people who gave at least $1,000 to The Mission Continues. Its properties show it was created by a Mission Continues employee May 6, 2014, shortly before Greitens stepped down as CEO, and was last saved March 24, 2015, by Michael Hafner, who had been working for Greitens’ gubernatorial exploratory committee.” [AP, 10/10/16]

The Internal Revenue Service Ruled Charities “Cannot Give Donor Lists To Politicians” But Could “Rent Them” If “Made Available To All Candidates.” “Federal law bars 501(c)(3) charities such as The Mission Continues from intervening in political campaigns on behalf of candidates. The Internal Revenue Service has ruled charities cannot give donor lists to politicians but can rent them at fair market value if made available to all candidates.” [AP, 10/10/16]

Federal Laws “Bars 501(c)(3) Charities Such As The Mission Continues From Intervening In Political Campaigns On Behalf Of Candidates.” “Federal law bars 501(c)(3) charities such as The Mission Continues from intervening in political campaigns on behalf of candidates. The Internal Revenue Service has ruled charities cannot give donor lists to politicians but can rent them at fair market value if made available to all candidates.” [AP, 10/10/16]

MORE THAN 70% OF GREITENS DONORS WERE FROM OUT OF STATE

More Than 70% Of Greitens Campaign Donations Came From Out Of State. [MEC, 10/30/16]

GREITENS HAS TAKEN MONEY FROM DARK MONEY PACS — AND THEN CLAIMED THE  DONATIONS WERE FROM THE SERVING MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR ARMED FORCES — WHEN THEY CLEARLY WEREN’T

Seals For Truth Gave Greitens $1.975 Million, The “Single Largest Political Contribution In Missouri History.” “A federally registered campaign committee called “SEALs for Truth” this week donated $1.975 million to Missouri gubernatorial candidate Eric Greitens, a former SEAL. It is, by far, the single largest political contribution in Missouri history to an individual candidate. and we have absolutely no idea who it came from.” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 7/20/16]

Greitens Had Said The Super PAC Was “Made Up Of Military Members Who Support Him.” “Greitens has said the super PAC is made up of military members who support him. When asked about the donation during a campaign stop Friday in Jefferson City, Greitens referred reporters’ questions to SEALs for Truth treasurer Nicholas Britt, who Greitens said went through Navy SEAL training with him. Britt did not immediately respond to Associated Press requests for comment Wednesday.” [AP, 10/26/16]

“It Turns Out” That The Money “Came From A Kentucky-Based Nonprofit Called The American Policy Coalition Inc.” “The group wasn’t required to disclose its donors until last week. It turns out that the money came from a Kentucky-based nonprofit called the American Policy Coalition Inc. Little is known about the American Policy Coalition, but it is connected to an Ohio attorney whom the Center for Public Integrity labeled the ‘nexus of one of the nation’s most mysterious networks pouring secret money into elections.’” [Kansas City Star, 10/26/16]

GREITENS PROMISED TO RELEASE HIS TAXES — THEN RENEGED WHEN HIS BLUFF WAS CALLED

On Sept. 21, 2016, Chambers “Again Suggested That The Release Of Greitens’ Returns Was Contingent On Koster Doing The Same.” “On Sept. 21, Chambers again suggested that the release of Greitens’ returns was contingent on Koster doing the same. ‘Have you received Koster’s returns?’ Chambers said.” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 10/4/16]

Chambers: “We’re Not Going To Blink.” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 9/27/16]

Kansas City Star: “In A Follow Up Email, Chambers Told The Star That Greitens Will Not Be Releasing His Tax Returns.” [Kansas City Star, 10/4/16]

SET UP A FAKE PAC TO APPEAR LIKE IT SUPPORTED PETER KINDER — TO ATTACK GREITENS  OPPONENTS

Kansas City Star Headline: “Mysterious PAC In Missouri Governor’s Race Denies Link With Eric Greitens.” [Kansas City Star, 6/6/16]

LG PAC Was Formed Three Days Before Monsees Said He Met Greitens “For The First Time At Campaign Event.” [AP, 6/20/16; Statement Of Organization FEC, 5/16/16]

KMBC Story Showed Greitens And Monsees Speaking. [KMBC, 6/17/16]

LG PAC: When Did Being A Politician Become A Liability? The Lg Pac And Its Supporters Believe That Government Service Is A Positive, Not A Negative. We Promote Strong Conservatives Who Have A Proven Track Record And Accomplishments In Government. With So Much At Stake, We Can’t Take A Risk With Those Who Only Talk. We Support Candidates Who Have Produced Real Results.” [LG PAC Accessed, 6/21/16]

GREITENS HAS TAKEN MONEY FROM CROOKS AND ALLEGED SEX ABUSERS

MICHAEL GOGUEN

CNN: “Michael Goguen, A Now Former Managing Partner At Sequoia Capital, Has Been Accused Of ‘Sexually, Physically And Emotionally’ Abusing A Woman For 12 Years.” [CNN, 3/13/16]

Greitens Refused To Return The $1 Million Accused Sex Abuser Gave To Him. “After the debate, Greitens was peppered again with questions, this time from the media, about the $1 million donation. Greitens refused to say if or when he might return the money. ‘We’re going to let the facts play out, guys. … I know that you’re desperate for me to jump to judgment, (but) I will not jump to judgment,’ he told reporters. ‘I’m not going to convict anyone based on what happens in a media story, and I will not collapse in the face of the attacks from career politicians and their allies in the media.’” [KWMU, 3/18/16]


STEVEN COHEN

Steven Cohen Had Donated $100,000 To Greitens. [Greitens Financial Report, 6/24/15]

Bloomberg Headline: “SAC Capital to Pay $1.8 Billion, the Largest Insider Trading Fine Ever.” [Bloomberg, 11/4/13]

Cohen’s Firms Paid The “Largest Insider Trading Fine In U.S. History” And All Four Of His Funds Plead Guilty To Wire And Securities Fraud. “According to the terms of a settlement agreement announced today, SAC Capital will pay $1.8 billion to resolve the criminal indictment brought against the firm for insider trading—the largest fine for insider trading in U.S. history. The future of Steven Cohen, the firm’s founder and one of the 150 richest men in the world, has not been so clearly resolved. Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that, under the proposed settlement, SAC will pay $900 million in forfeiture and a $900 million fine. The firm will receive credit for a $616 million penalty it agreed to pay the Securities and Exchange Commission in March over related insider trading charges, which brings the net total today to just under $1.2 billion. Cohen, as the owner of the firm, will pay for all of it out of his own pocket.” [SEC, 6/27/14; Bloomberg, 11/4/13]

JAMES PARSONS

James Parsons Had Donated $300,000 To Greitens. [MEC, Accessed 7/14/16]

SEC Press Release Topper: “SEC Sanctions 19 Firms and Individual Trader for Short Selling Violations in Advance of Stock Offerings.” [SEC Press Release, 9/16/14; Wall Street Journal, 9/16/14]

Parsons Was Forced To “Pay Disgorgement Of $135,531, Prejudgment Interest Of $3,063.90, And A Civil Money Penalty In The Amount Of $67,765.72 (For A Total Of $206,360.62) To The United States Treasury” By The SEC. [SEC, 9/16/14]

SEC Press Release: “An Individual Trader Who Lives In New York City Agreed To Pay Disgorgement Of $135,531, Prejudgment Interest Of $3,063.90, And A Penalty Of $67,765.72.” [SEC Press Release, 9/16/14]

ELLIOTT BROIDY

Broidy Had Donated $10,000 To Greitens. [MEC, 7/31/16]

Wall Street Journal: “California Money Manager Elliott Broidy On Thursday Admitted To Making Nearly $1 Million In Gifts To Benefit Four Former Top Officials In The Office That Oversees New York State’s Pension Fund.” “California money manager Elliott Broidy on Thursday admitted to making nearly $1 million in gifts to benefit four former top officials in the office that oversees New York state’s pension fund, including onetime state comptroller Alan Hevesi, according to people familiar with the matter. The development marks the most-direct known connection between Mr. Hevesi and the New York attorney general’s investigation into an alleged pay-to-play scheme in the office of the state’s top financial officials. It also suggests a wider circle of former state officials involved in the scandal than previously known.” [Wall Street Journal, 12/4/09]

Attorney General Cuomo: “”This Is An Old-Fashioned Case Of Payoff To State Officials. This Case Is Effectively Bribery.” [Wall Street Journal, 12/4/09]

CRAIG ESTEY

Craig Estey Donated $10,000 To Greitens. [Missouri Ethics Commission Tweet, 5/31/16]

Estey Had Been Fined $200,000 By The Nevada Gaming Control Board “For Lying To State Regulators About A Domestic Violence Incident Involving His Estranged Wife.” “Richard Craig Estey, Oregon’s most prominent video gambling retailer, has been fined $200,000 by the Nevada Gaming Control Board for lying to state regulators about a domestic violence incident involving his estranged wife. That disciplinary action has prompted an investigation by the Oregon State Lottery on whether Estey –who owns the 26-store Dotty’s Deli chain –poses a ‘threat to the actual or apparent integrity’ of the Lottery, which may be cause for immediate termination of his contract.” [Oregonian, 2/28/06]

Police Records Showed Las Vegas Police Responded To A “Domestic Dispute” At The Home Of Estey’s Ex-Wife – Estey Had Been “”Uncooperative In Responding To The Board” After It The Incident Was Unearthed. “According to police records, Las Vegas police responded to a domestic dispute at the home of Estey’s wife, Kathrine, on Aug. 29. At that point, the couple had been separated for 11 months after a 14-year marriage.  When the Gaming Control Board subsequently interviewed Estey about the incident, he was ‘uncooperative in responding to the board,’ notes a complaint filed against him by the board and Nevada Deputy Attorney General Darlene Caruso.” [Oregonian, 2/28/06]

Estey Was Accused By His Ex-Wife Of Grabbing Her Hair And Putting A Semiautomatic Pistol To Her Head – Estey “Does Not Dispute Kathrine’s Version Of The Incident At Issue.” “The complaint stipulates that Estey’s admission was intended only “for the purposes of the regulatory, administrative proceeding.” It adds, however, that Estey ‘does not dispute Kathrine’s version of the incident at issue.’ Kathrine Estey told police in August that her husband grabbed her by the hair and put a semiautomatic Colt pistol to her forehead. Police records further note that she said he came to the house with divorce papers and told Kathrine ‘He could not handle the pressures anymore.’ Las Vegas police closed their investigation into possible domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon, a felony, on Sept. 13, citing ‘insufficient evidence’ to levy charges. A spokeswoman in the Clark County DA’s office said police never forwarded the case for prosecution.” [Oregonian, 2/28/06]