A St. Louis grand jury indicted Republican Missouri Governor Eric Greitens today on felony charges of violation of privacy stemming from allegations that he non-consensually photographed a woman with whom he has admitted he had an extra-marital affair with in 2015.
By law, the felony charge can be brought only if the image was transmitted “in a manner that allowed access to that image via a computer,” as the indictment states.
Albert Watkins, attorney for the ex-husband of the victim, previously made available audio recordings the ex-husband said he made of the victim, identified as K.S. in the indictment, where she tearfully claimed that Greitens threatened to release a nude photograph of her with her hands bound and wearing a blindfold if she ever spoke publicly about the affair.
The indictment makes no mention of blackmail. Greitens previously denied the existence of a photograph and blackmail.
An indictment is only an allegation; the state has the burden to prove the allegations if a judge hears the case.
Greitens was taken into custody and booked into the St. Louis Justice Center today; the alleged offense took place in St. Louis.
Greitens’ attorney, Edward L. Dowd, said he will be filing a motion to dismiss the charges.
“In forty years of public and private practice, I have never seen anything like this,” Dowd said. “The charges against my client are baseless and unfounded. My client is absolutely innocent.”
Greitens said in a statement that the indictment was nothing but a display of politics from the prosecuting attorney, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner, a Democrat elected last November when Greitens also was elected to his first term.
Gardner addressed the indictment in a press statement.
“It is essential for residents of the City of St. Louis and our state to have confidence in their leaders,” Gardner said. “They must know that the Office of the Circuit Attorney will hold public officials accountable in the same manner as any other resident of our city. Both parties and the people of St. Louis deserve a thorough investigation of these allegations.”
Several politicians have called on Greitens to resign, and Democratic state senator Jamilah Nasheed today called on House Speaker Todd Richardson, a Republican from Poplar Bluffs, to begin impeachment proceedings on the governor.
“Missourians thought they voted for a person of character and integrity, and instead they got a liar and alleged criminal,” Nasheed said. “I am calling on the Honorable Speaker of the House Todd Richardson to immediately begin the impeachment proceedings so that the people of Missouri can move forward.”
The state senate’s current Minority Leader, Gina Walsh, also issued a statement condemning Greitens, speaking of Greitens’ alleged female victims in the plural, though only one victim is referred to in the indictment.
“Right now, my thoughts are with the women and families whose lives are forever changed because of Eric Greitens’ behavior and actions,” Walsh said. “Too often, women in our state and nation are subject to intimidation, threats and even violence at the hands of those in power. No more. It’s time our state takes a stand and ensures that women everywhere are able to seek the justice and equality they rightfully deserve.”
Several prominent politicians have resigned from their offices this year following allegations of sexual misconduct. They include U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-MN) and U.S. Representatives John Conyers (D-MI), Trent Franks (R-AZ) and Blake Farenthold (R-TX). Unlike Greitens, though, most have not faced criminal charges.
Asked for comment, the Missouri Democratic Party deferred to the statement made by party chairman Stephen Webber on his Twitter account.
“Everything about @EricGreitens — his dark money, his lies, his scandals, his crimes — has been a stain on Missouri,” Webber said. “Through it all, the Republican establishment has stood by him. Change can’t come soon enough.”
The Democratic Governors Association (DGA) also joined the chorus of voices calling for resignation. The organization, which supports the election and reelection of Democratic governors around the country, said the charges prove Greitens is unfit to hold public office.
“The Republican Governors Association should send a clear message that it does not condone Governor Greitens’ illegal actions,” DGA executive director Elisabeth Pearson said in a statement. “The RGA should immediately remove Governor Greitens from its executive council.”
The governor’s office, House Speaker Todd Richardson, the Republican Governors Association and the Missouri Republican Party could not immediately be reached for comment.
