JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – It’s only been a matter of days, but it seems that with each new day, something new arises in the ongoing legal woes for Gov. Eric Greitens.
Here’s a breakdown of five new developments in the cases against the embattled Republican governor:
1. Turn over the phone
The woman who had an extramarital affair with Gov. Eric Greitens in 2015 has been ordered to turn over her cellphone for a forensic investigation following a decision by the Missouri Supreme Court. The high court’s decision follows the woman’s request Friday to block an order by a state judge overseeing the case that requires her phone to be examined by a court-appointed expert.
https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/04/28/us/ap-us-missouri-governor.html
2. Restraining order denied
In a two-page judgment issued Friday afternoon, Judge Jon Beetem said Greitens “failed to state a claim upon which relief may be granted” and that he “is not entitled to a temporary restraining order, denying the governor’s request for a temporary restraining order against Attorney General Josh Hawley.
https://themissouritimes.com/50662/judge-denies-greitens-restraining-order-against-hawley/
3. Hawley investigating Greitens’ use of social media
A new report from the Kansas City Star on Monday shows that Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley is launching another Sunshine Law investigation into Greitens, with the subject of this investigation being his use of social media.
http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article210024609.html
4. Possible third charge to be filed in Cole County?
Republican Gov. Eric Greitens currently faces two felony charges, but a possible third lesser charge could be coming. That’s because evidence turned over by the Attorney General’s Office to the Cole County prosecutor could be used to file a charge against the embattled governor for filing a false campaign disclosure report.
https://themissouritimes.com/50656/could-greitens-be-charged-with-yet-another-crime/
5. Signatures for a special session
If the House will indeed move forward with articles of impeachment, the chambers have already begun the process of gathering signatures to call themselves into special session. House Speaker Todd Richardson provided an update, saying he expects to have enough signatures, and that the “process is on track and moving forward.”
Benjamin Peters was a reporter for The Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine and also produced the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined The Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield.
