Eric Greitens Resigns As Missouri Governor
Rep. Don Phillips Says Special Committee Will Continue Work
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June 7, 2018
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Local State Representative Don Phillips (R-Kimberling City), above, speaks at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Stone County Judicial Center on Friday, June 1. During the event, Phillips said, “There are many people that think [the Special Investigative Committee] was a witch hunt because that was the term that was used. I can assure you that it wasn’t.”
Isaac Estes-Jones
Following months of contention, numerous allegations of illegal and unethical behavior and talk of impeachment, Eric Greitens became the first Missouri Governor to resign from office since the 1800s on Friday, June 1.
The (now former) Governor announced his intent to resign after presstime on Tuesday, May 29. At the press conference held in Jefferson City, Greitens said (in part), “I came to office to fight for the people of Missouri, to fight for the forgotten. I love Missouri and I love our people. That love remains.
“The last few months have been incredibly difficult for me, for my family, for my team, for my friends and for many, many people.
“This ordeal has been designed to cause an incredible amount of strain on my family; millions of dollars of mounting legal bills, endless personal attacks designed to cause maximum damage to family and friends
“A great deal of work is left undone. The time has come, though, to tend to those who have been wounded, and to care for those who need us most. So for the moment, let us walk off the battlefield with our heads held high.”
Greitens was widely considered to be a rising star in the Republican party during his campaign in 2015 and the early days of his Governorship, with some commentators calling him a future presidential candidate.
Greitens, a former Navy SEAL, ran as a conservative outsider; Governor was his first elected office. According to his still active campaign website, http://ericgreitens.com/about, “Eric Greitens is a husband and father who believes that with the right leadership from outside of the political establishment, Missouri’s best days are yet to come.”
Controversy around Greitens started to grow in January of this year after reports of an extra-marital affair came to light. Greitens allegedly took a semi-nude photo of the woman, his hairdresser, threatening to publish the images if she spoke about the affair.
Greitens eventually admitted to the affair, saying he was “unfaithful” in his marriage, but he vehemently denied the allegations of blackmail against his former mistress.
The Missouri House of Representatives appointed a special committee to look into the allegations surrounding Greitens. Representative Don Phillips (R-Kimberling City) is vice-chair on that group. In their first report, the committee found that the woman was “an overall credible witness.” Greitens and his attorneys did not speak to the committee during the investigations.
After the release of that first report, Phillips said, “In signing my name to the report, I did so with confidence that the committee diligently sought the truth, invested great consideration of the testimony we heard, and that the report was factual and credible.”
Allegations of wrong-doing grew around Greitens when a Grand Jury in St. Louis indicted the embattled Governor on a felony charge of invasion of privacy for allegedly taking the compromising photo.
In April, controversy around Greitens grew again when a Grand Jury indicted him on a charge of illegally obtaining a donor list from a non-profit for use during campaign fundraising. Campaign financing laws make such an action a felony.
Greitens allegedly took the list from The Mission Continues, a non-profit he founded to help veterans adjust to life at home after service.
An investigation by the Special Committee determined that this event likely did occur. The committee report contains emails and sworn testimony that Greitens asked for the donor list to be sent to members of his election committee.
As time went on, Greitens continued to call the allegations against him unfounded and alleged they were designed to harm and force him out of office.
Vice-Chair of the Special Investigative Committee, Don Phillips, of Kimberling City, does not believe that was the case, nor does he think the pressure would have pushed Greitens out of office.
When speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Stone County Judicial Center on June 1, just hours before Greitens formally left office, Phillips said, “he went out playing himself as a victim. Common sense tells you that a man that can go through Navy SEAL training - which I couldn’t last one day of - A man that can go through that is not going to be pressured out by a bunch of politicians.
“That is not going to happen. That is not the reason he resigned. He did not resign for family reasons. So you can connect the dots,” Phillps said.
Representative Phillips was asked later why he thought Greitens did resign.
“We [the Investigative Committee] had much more information than we released to the public in the first two reports,” he said. “He eventually learned about what we knew and decided to step down.”
Phillips said he was a huge fan of Greitens while he was running for office. “I became less of a fan as time went on,” Phillips said.
“I spoke to the Governor personally on the phone when I was named to the Special Committee,” Phillips said, “And I said if there’s nothing to hide, I’ll be the greatest guy you could have on that committee. If there is something to hide, sorry about your bad luck, I won’t be. And he understood that.”
Looking at what the Special Investigative Committee found during it’s work, Phillips said, “I think what we saw was what I would call a pattern of deception.”
The work of the special committee, which has been active for over 90 days, will continue for another several days or weeks, Phillips said. “We’ve been asked to look into the $100,000 that showed up at the mistress’s ex-husband’s lawyer before all of this started. I’m not sure what we’ll find, but it is important to ensure the integrity of the committee. Someone lied under oath to us, and we have to make sure there are consequences for that.”
After Greitens stepped down, Lt. Governor Mike Parson was sworn into the office of Governor. Stone County Presiding Commissioner Dennis Wood said Friday was, “a great day for the state of Missouri. Our friend Mike Parson (became) Governor and we are excited about that.”
Phillips said he “thinks a lot of” Parson. “I am happy Mike Parson will now pick up the reins. I think he will get us recovered in a short period of time,” Phillips said.
The scandals surrounding the former Governor became a topic of national discussion.
The initial charge of invasion of privacy was dropped after the prosecutor would have been required to testify. A special prosecutor was reportedly looking into refiling those charges.
The charge of taking the donor list was dropped after Greitens announced his resignation.
Reports and other documentation from the House Special Investigative Committee can be found at the following web address: https://house.mo.gov/Committees.aspx?category=all&committee=1840&year=2018&code=&cluster=true
Other Comments on Resignation
Numerous other state officials released the following statements after Greitens announced his intent to resign.
House Speaker Todd Richardson, Speaker Pro Tem Elijah Haahr, and Majority Floor Leader Rob Vescovo: “We believe the Governor has put the best interest of Missourians first today by choosing to resign. The past few months have been difficult for everyone involved, including the Governor and his family. This is a serious and solemn occasion that reminds us that our state and our duty are bigger than any one person or party.
The House stands ready to help ensure a smooth transition of power to Governor Parson. The hallmark of democracy is that our public service is temporary. Missouri has been blessed with an unbroken line of men and women in public service who have worked to make our state better, and the work of the many dedicated public servants, who work tirelessly for the people of Missouri, will continue.
The responsibility the House undertook with its investigation is not a path any of us would have chosen, but it is one we were obligated to pursue in an effort to do what is best for our state. We want to thank the members of the Special Investigative Committee on Oversight for the serious and professional manner in which they went about their task. We also want to thank the staff for the countless hours and sacrifices they made.
As public servants, our solemn duty is to put the best interests of the people of this great state first in every decision we make. The Governor’s decision today honors that duty and allows Missouri to move forward toward a better tomorrow.”
Missouri State Treasurer Eric Schmitt: “Now is the time for the people of Missouri to come together and work toward a better future for our state. My focus is on helping to ensure a smooth transition of power so that state government can continue to serve Missourians without interruption. To that end, my office will be actively working with partners across state agencies and departments to help facilitate the transition process.”
Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin: “The governor’s office is bigger than one person. Missouri is strong. Just this session, the Legislature set the framework for greater economic growth. I have full confidence that Lt. Governor Mike Parson and other leaders across the state will continue building a better Missouri, while leading with conservative values. I can assure you, no matter what happens next, Missouri is in good hands.”
Democratic State Auditor Nicole Galloway: “Corruption in state government became worse than ever under Eric Greitens. That corruption must be cleaned up, and our state’s reputation must be restored. This can only happen if leaders put the needs of Missourians ahead of themselves.”
Following months of contention, numerous allegations of illegal and unethical behavior and talk of impeachment, Eric Greitens became the first Missouri Governor to resign from office since the 1800s on Friday, June 1.
The (now former) Governor announced his intent to resign after presstime on Tuesday, May 29. At the press conference held in Jefferson City, Greitens said (in part), “I came to office to fight for the people of Missouri, to fight for the forgotten. I love Missouri and I love our people. That love remains.
“The last few months have been incredibly difficult for me, for my family, for my team, for my friends and for many, many people.
“This ordeal has been designed to cause an incredible amount of strain on my family; millions of dollars of mounting legal bills, endless personal attacks designed to cause maximum damage to family and friends
“A great deal of work is left undone. The time has come, though, to tend to those who have been wounded, and to care for those who need us most. So for the moment, let us walk off the battlefield with our heads held high.”
Greitens was widely considered to be a rising star in the Republican party during his campaign in 2015 and the early days of his Governorship, with some commentators calling him a future presidential candidate.
Greitens, a former Navy SEAL, ran as a conservative outsider; Governor was his first elected office. According to his still active campaign website, http://ericgreitens.com/about, “Eric Greitens is a husband and father who believes that with the right leadership from outside of the political establishment, Missouri’s best days are yet to come.”
Controversy around Greitens started to grow in January of this year after reports of an extra-marital affair came to light. Greitens allegedly took a semi-nude photo of the woman, his hairdresser, threatening to publish the images if she spoke about the affair.
Greitens eventually admitted to the affair, saying he was “unfaithful” in his marriage, but he vehemently denied the allegations of blackmail against his former mistress.
The Missouri House of Representatives appointed a special committee to look into the allegations surrounding Greitens. Representative Don Phillips (R-Kimberling City) is vice-chair on that group. In their first report, the committee found that the woman was “an overall credible witness.” Greitens and his attorneys did not speak to the committee during the investigations.
After the release of that first report, Phillips said, “In signing my name to the report, I did so with confidence that the committee diligently sought the truth, invested great consideration of the testimony we heard, and that the report was factual and credible.”
Allegations of wrong-doing grew around Greitens when a Grand Jury in St. Louis indicted the embattled Governor on a felony charge of invasion of privacy for allegedly taking the compromising photo.
In April, controversy around Greitens grew again when a Grand Jury indicted him on a charge of illegally obtaining a donor list from a non-profit for use during campaign fundraising. Campaign financing laws make such an action a felony.
Greitens allegedly took the list from The Mission Continues, a non-profit he founded to help veterans adjust to life at home after service.
An investigation by the Special Committee determined that this event likely did occur. The committee report contains emails and sworn testimony that Greitens asked for the donor list to be sent to members of his election committee.
As time went on, Greitens continued to call the allegations against him unfounded and alleged they were designed to harm and force him out of office.
Vice-Chair of the Special Investigative Committee, Don Phillips, of Kimberling City, does not believe that was the case, nor does he think the pressure would have pushed Greitens out of office.
When speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Stone County Judicial Center on June 1, just hours before Greitens formally left office, Phillips said, “he went out playing himself as a victim. Common sense tells you that a man that can go through Navy SEAL training - which I couldn’t last one day of - A man that can go through that is not going to be pressured out by a bunch of politicians.
“That is not going to happen. That is not the reason he resigned. He did not resign for family reasons. So you can connect the dots,” Phillps said.
Representative Phillips was asked later why he thought Greitens did resign.
“We [the Investigative Committee] had much more information than we released to the public in the first two reports,” he said. “He eventually learned about what we knew and decided to step down.”
Phillips said he was a huge fan of Greitens while he was running for office. “I became less of a fan as time went on,” Phillips said.
“I spoke to the Governor personally on the phone when I was named to the Special Committee,” Phillips said, “And I said if there’s nothing to hide, I’ll be the greatest guy you could have on that committee. If there is something to hide, sorry about your bad luck, I won’t be. And he understood that.”
Looking at what the Special Investigative Committee found during it’s work, Phillips said, “I think what we saw was what I would call a pattern of deception.”
The work of the special committee, which has been active for over 90 days, will continue for another several days or weeks, Phillips said. “We’ve been asked to look into the $100,000 that showed up at the mistress’s ex-husband’s lawyer before all of this started. I’m not sure what we’ll find, but it is important to ensure the integrity of the committee. Someone lied under oath to us, and we have to make sure there are consequences for that.”
After Greitens stepped down, Lt. Governor Mike Parson was sworn into the office of Governor. Stone County Presiding Commissioner Dennis Wood said Friday was, “a great day for the state of Missouri. Our friend Mike Parson (became) Governor and we are excited about that.”
Phillips said he “thinks a lot of” Parson. “I am happy Mike Parson will now pick up the reins. I think he will get us recovered in a short period of time,” Phillips said.
The scandals surrounding the former Governor became a topic of national discussion.
The initial charge of invasion of privacy was dropped after the prosecutor would have been required to testify. A special prosecutor was reportedly looking into refiling those charges.
The charge of taking the donor list was dropped after Greitens announced his resignation.
Reports and other documentation from the House Special Investigative Committee can be found at the following web address: https://house.mo.gov/Committees.aspx?category=all&committee=1840&year=2018&code=&cluster=true
Other Comments on Resignation
Numerous other state officials released the following statements after Greitens announced his intent to resign.
House Speaker Todd Richardson, Speaker Pro Tem Elijah Haahr, and Majority Floor Leader Rob Vescovo: “We believe the Governor has put the best interest of Missourians first today by choosing to resign. The past few months have been difficult for everyone involved, including the Governor and his family. This is a serious and solemn occasion that reminds us that our state and our duty are bigger than any one person or party.
The House stands ready to help ensure a smooth transition of power to Governor Parson. The hallmark of democracy is that our public service is temporary. Missouri has been blessed with an unbroken line of men and women in public service who have worked to make our state better, and the work of the many dedicated public servants, who work tirelessly for the people of Missouri, will continue.
The responsibility the House undertook with its investigation is not a path any of us would have chosen, but it is one we were obligated to pursue in an effort to do what is best for our state. We want to thank the members of the Special Investigative Committee on Oversight for the serious and professional manner in which they went about their task. We also want to thank the staff for the countless hours and sacrifices they made.
As public servants, our solemn duty is to put the best interests of the people of this great state first in every decision we make. The Governor’s decision today honors that duty and allows Missouri to move forward toward a better tomorrow.”
Missouri State Treasurer Eric Schmitt: “Now is the time for the people of Missouri to come together and work toward a better future for our state. My focus is on helping to ensure a smooth transition of power so that state government can continue to serve Missourians without interruption. To that end, my office will be actively working with partners across state agencies and departments to help facilitate the transition process.”
Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin: “The governor’s office is bigger than one person. Missouri is strong. Just this session, the Legislature set the framework for greater economic growth. I have full confidence that Lt. Governor Mike Parson and other leaders across the state will continue building a better Missouri, while leading with conservative values. I can assure you, no matter what happens next, Missouri is in good hands.”
Democratic State Auditor Nicole Galloway: “Corruption in state government became worse than ever under Eric Greitens. That corruption must be cleaned up, and our state’s reputation must be restored. This can only happen if leaders put the needs of Missourians ahead of themselves.”