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Greitens-connected groups to argue committee subpoena in court

Special committee also adds three members as duties expand

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Court records show that the House committee investigating Gov. Eric Greitens has subpoenaed financial records for two groups connected to the embattled governor.

A hearing will be held in Cole County Circuit Court on Wednesday at 10 a.m. before Judge Jon Beetem. The committee is moving to compel Carrollton Bank to turn over the financial records for A New Missouri and Greitens for Missouri.

“Carrollton Bank will respond to the subpoena when the legal process is complete,” Tom Hough, the bank’s CEO, said. He told the Kansas City Star the bank, through its attorney, is in contact about the subpoena with legal counsel for A New Missouri.

In a May 9 letter, Catherine Hanaway, counsel for Greitens for Missouri, referenced the subpoena stating that the records are not relevant and that the subpoena fails to meet procedural requirements.

“Both the donors and the entities have a First Amendment Interest in keeping donor identities private,” Hanaway said. She also argues that A New Missouri “has no duty to disclose its donors” as a nonprofit.

However, a recent opinion handed down by the Missouri Ethics Commission contracts the state.

“Because a nonprofit corporation is a ‘person’ under Missouri campaign finance laws, that corporation becomes a committee if it accepts contributions, in excess of $500 in a calendar year or in excess of $250 for a single contributor, for the primary or incidental purpose of influencing or attempting to influence the action of voters for or against the nomination or election to public office of one or more candidates or the qualification, passage or defeat of any ballot,” reads the opinion, which is signed by MEC Executive Director James Klahr.

The committee is having its membership expand along with its duties — to include disciplinary recommendations.

The Special Investigative Committee on Oversight was formed in late February following the felony indictment of Greitens with an invasion of privacy charge. The committee original sat seven members with Rep. Jay Barnes acting as chairman.

Barnes will continue his role in leading the committee on its mission for the truth regarding the multiple allegations surrounding the embattled-Republican governor of the Show-Me State. Now, the committee is adding three members.

  • Rep. Greg Razer, a Kansas City Democrat, is only in his second session in the Missouri House, having been elected in 2016. He is the ranking minority member on House Higher Education Committee and the Subcommittee on Appropriations-General Administration. The Arizona native graduated from the University of Missouri — Columbia in 2000 and worked as U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill’s Deputy Regional Director from 2008-2016.
  • Rep. J. Eggleston, Maysville Republican, was once a software engineer in Silicon Valley — from 1987- 1992. He currently owns a consumer electronics small business he founded in 1994. He serves as vice-chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
  • Rep. Curtis Trent, another legislative freshman, is Springfield attorney who has practiced administrative law concerning Social Security Disability. He also served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Missouri’s 7th District Congressman Billy Long. Trent is a supporter of Greitens.

The committee also consists of Chairman Jay Barnes, Vice-Chairman Don Phillips, Reps. Kevin Austin, Jeanie Lauer, Gina Mitten, Tommie Pierson Jr., and Shawn Rhoads.

The committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday at 11 a.m., where they are expected to adopt rules and procedures moving forward, and Wednesday at 9 a.m.