State Senator Gary Romine, R-Farmington, wants Governor Eric Greitens to resign or he will ask the legislature to begin impeachment proceedings if the allegations against the governor are true. KMOV-TV of St. Louis reports the Republican political newcomer had an affair in 2015, allegedly tied his mistress up, and threatened to frame her with nude photos if she did not keep quiet about their relationship.
“People are upset with what they’ve seen across the nation in the movie industry, in the political industry, on tv with the anchors who have lost their jobs,” says Romine. “This is an issue that has just come to a head in an ugly and I’m very disappointed we are dealing with this in Missouri.”
The governor’s personal attorney, Jim Bennett, did not immediately return a request for comment. The governor has acknowledged to KMOV-TV that he had an affair but denies the other allegations.
Attorney General Josh Hawley cites jurisdictional reasons for declining a request from Romine and other Senators to investigate the accusations. The move has prompted St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner to launch a criminal investigation against Greitens.
“Our efforts and our desires are to validate the allegations and determine whether or not they are true so we can go forward with conducting business of the state,” says Romine. “As long as this is hanging out there, it’s going to be a cloud over us.”
Romine believes the governor’s “subdued performance” in Greitens’ State of the State address on Wednesday was because of the looming allegations, which Romine says created an awkward atmosphere.