The Republican Governor of Missouri has just resigned amid two scandals, one of which involved an extramarital affair and the other potential campaign finance violations:
BREAKING: Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, ex-Navy SEAL once seen as rising Republican star, resigns amid extramarital affair scandal.
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 29, 2018
RECAP:
— Rob Edwards (@RobertDEdwards) May 29, 2018
- Missouri Governor Eric Greitens resigns.
- He will step down effective June 1st at 5 p.m.
- Greitens choked up toward end of news conference.
- He walked away after his speech without taking questions.
LIVE reaction happening NOW on @ksdknews
Here’s more:
FOX BALTIMORE – Gov. Eric Greitens stepped down from his position as Missouri’s governor Tuesday afternoon.
Greitens delivered his statement in the Governor’s Office, saying his resignation is effective Friday at 5 p.m.
The governor has been accused of using his charity for his political gain, being charged with felony computer tampering. Greitens had been accused of invading the privacy of a woman with whom he had an affair, but the charge was dropped.
The announcement came hours after Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem ruled that a secret group supporting Greitens, A New Missouri, has to turn over correspondence and documents showing potential coordination between the governor, his campaign committee and A New Missouri.
A Missouri House investigative committee was formed to review allegations against the governor. The committee released two reports, one into criminal allegations of Greitens’ affair and another on the governor’s use of his charity, The Mission Continues.
Lt. Gov. Mike Parson is expected to resume the role of governor following Greitens’ leave.
It’s believed that this could have led to impeachment, so it appears that Greitens is beating the House to the punch.