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Missouri political scientist doubtful Trump intervenes in Greitens’ fate

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A political scientist is skeptical of President Donald Trump getting involved in Governor Eric Greitens’ future. Robynn Kuhlmann with the University of Central Missouri is responding to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch story about Trump’s administration gauging the level of support for the troubled CEO of the state by calling Missouri legislators.

Missouri Governor Eric Greitens (Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI)

“At this point, in terms of the Trump administration, they’ve been I’d say fairly cautious about getting involved in things at the state level,” she says.

The president faces sexual and bribery allegations by other women. Greitens has been accused of sexual manipulation, violence and blackmail by his ex-mistress.
Would Trump go as far as defending Greitens?

Kuhlmann is unsure but says the president has been “consistently inconsistent” in his messaging about different political issues at the national level.

The newspaper report also says some legislators have reached out to the White House and others have been contacted by the Trump administration about the subject matter. Last week, State Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, sent a letter to Trump urging the president to call on the governor to resign.

Greitens has admitted to infidelity but denies any criminal allegations.

A St. Louis Circuit Court judge is expected to decide today about a request to dismiss Greitens’ case. His legal team is accusing the prosecutor of withholding evidence. A technical glitch was originally blamed for a videotaped interview with the alleged victim not being submitted for evidence. The videotape resurfaced shortly after a House committee investigating Greitens released a report detailing the woman’s testimony.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Missouri political scientist weighs in on Trump getting involved in Greitens controversy

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Three members of the Legislature tell the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that President Trump’s administration is “actively gauging” the mood in Missouri about the way to handle Governor Greitens’ fate. The newspaper report also says some legislators have reached out to the White House and others have been contacted by the Trump administration about the subject matter.

Peverill Squire (Photos courtesy of the University of Missouri)

Mizzou political scientist Peverill Squire thinks Trump is trying figure out how much his reputation is damaged by what people think of Greitens’ situation.

“I know there are a number of Republicans that would probably like to have the administration help pressure Governor Greitens to leave and the administration will have to decide whether that’s a step that they would really be willing to take,” Squire says.

Greitens is being investigated for allegedly using violence and manipulating his ex-mistress into performing sexual acts in 2015. Squire tells Missourinet Trump has his own controversies – some similar to Greitens.

“I think they would (Trump officials) prefer to stay out of it and not have the two too closely linked by having the administration come in and try to push out Greitens at the same time they’re resisting any attempts along those lines in terms of keeping Trump in office,” Squire says.

If Trump calls on the governor, a Navy SEAL, to resign, would Greitens listen?

Gov. Eric Greitens

“It’s not clear that the governor would be willing to listen. He has, to this point, ignored a lot of prominent members here of the Republican party in the state who have asked him to resign. It certainly would be hard to resist pressure from Trump and Vice President Pence, who has a relationship with Greitens. But, he (Greitens) has dug in his heels to this point and it may take something even beyond the president to remove him,” says Squire.

On Tuesday, Senate President Ron Richard of Joplin, House Speaker Todd Richardson of Poplar Bluff, Speaker Pro Tem Elijah Haahr of Springfield and Majority Floor Leader Rob Vescovo of Arnold all called on Greitens to step down. Richard went a step further and said he thinks impeachment proceedings should begin immediately. Minutes later, the governor jumped on Twitter to say he’s not giving up.

“Given the situation where the Republicans are the overwhelming majority in the General Assembly and to have their leaders come out against a Republican governor is extraordinary,” Squire says. “I think the important thing to note is that there are very few, if any, voices that are really rallying around the governor.”

Officials from the Missouri Republican Party seem to be staying out of the fight.

“The party is kind of an awkward position. They don’t really want to have to step in to a battle between two of their more prominent candidates if they want to get between Hawley and Greitens right now,” says Squire. “I think they are laying low but they are probably looking to legislative leaders to carry the burden.”

Attorney General Josh Hawley

On Tuesday, Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley said evidence shows fellow Greitens might have committed a felony by taking and using a charity donor list for campaign fundraising. Hawley says the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s office holds the power to decide whether to file charges against Greitens for allegedly getting the list without permission of officials from Greitens’ former charity.

An attorney for Greitens has filed a temporary restraining order that aims to remove the Attorney General’s office from investigating Greitens and his administration. The request filed this afternoon in Cole County Circuit Court also asks to assign a special prosecutor for any further investigative work.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Legislative aide arrested at Missouri Capitol for child sex crime allegations

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Carter Ballman

A Missouri House legislative aide faces child sex crime allegations. A press release from the Boone County Sheriff’s Office says 24-year-old Carter Ballmann of Jefferson City has been arrested for responding to an online post by an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old female. Ballmann allegedly persuaded the decoy to sneak out of her home and requested nude photos of her.

Ballman works for Republican State Rep. Mark Matthiesen of eastern Missouri’s Maryland Heights.

Law enforcement officials cannot confirm whether state resources, such as a computer, have been confiscated as possible evidence.

The suspect’s bond has been set at $100,000. At the time of this story being published, Ballman has not been charged.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Study says University of Missouri System has $5.4 billion annual impact

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An eight-month study by national consulting firm Tripp Umbach illustrates the UM System has a $5.4 billion annual financial influence on the state. The 2017 fiscal year analysis factors in things like payroll and benefits, taxes paid to local and state governments, student spending, community benefits and visitors expenses.

Image courtesy of University of Missouri

“Given that our annual appropriations from the state are approximately $400 million each year, this means that taxpayers are receiving a return on their investment of 13.5 to 1, an impressive number,” says Mark McIntosh, UM System vice president of Research and Economic Development. “A vast number of our graduates are staying in Missouri and putting their education to the test in our workforce while our faculty across the four campuses are conducting research that addresses grand challenges facing our state and nation. This significant combination of workforce development and innovative discoveries in our labs is impacting thousands of Missourians every day.”

According to Paul Umbach, President and CEO of Tripp Umbach, he says the University of Missouri’s economic reach is far and wide throughout the state. He says UM fares better than several other university systems in its financial impact, including the Universities of Iowa, Connecticut and Pittsburg.

“One thing that’s different about Missouri than other states, is that there are large economic engines in the two principal cities and also in Rolla. And, Extension has spending in every one of the counties. There’s a lot of universities that pretty much have all their eggs in one place, but the University of Missouri System actually has spending in the other markets around the state,” Umbach says. “I feel like that is part of the magic of this system. Missouri is like a country – it’s the most urban place and the most rural place all in one place. From an economist perspective, that generates even more economic development when you have such diversity.”

Highlights of the study include:

  • More than $244 million in state and local revenue taxes collected because of the university by way of taxes on sales, food, gas, lodging, etc.
  • More than 61,000 people have jobs either directly or indirectly because of the system.
  • Of the four campuses, Mizzou has the greatest impact by far: $3.9 billion, $46,855 jobs, $117.4 million generated in state and local tax revenue.

The $50,000 study did not review the economic impact of MU’s athletics department. A previous study completed by a team of MBA faculty and students found that MU athletics contributed approximately $294 million to the local and state economies.

The research comes as the Missouri Legislature considers the level of funding for the state’s colleges and universities.

To view the report, click here.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

GOP leadership in Missouri Legislature calls on Greitens to resign

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Statements have been released by top Republicans in the Missouri Legislature calling on fellow Republican Governor Eric Greitens to step down. Calls for his resignation have mounted in response to fellow Republican Attorney General Josh Hawley saying today the governor might have committed a felony when taking a charity donor list for campaign fundraising purposes. Hawley says evidence shows Greitens might have taken the list without permission of officials from Greitens’ former St. Louis charity – the Mission Continues.

Missouri Governor Eric Greitens (Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI)

Senate President Ron Richard, R-Joplin, says officials have “reached a critical turning point” in the allegations made against the governor.

“The decisions made going forward will have a significant effect on the state of Missouri. After speaking with the attorney general today, I believe the governor has no other respectable option than to resign from office,” says Richard.

He goes on to say “We are past the point of concerning and alarming.”

“Since his time in office, the governor has caused tension, conflict and hostility. The weight of his actions are being felt throughout the state. Now, these alleged illegal actions are further harmful to the people of Missouri and do not represent Missouri values,” says Richard. “It’s time for the governor to find the courage in his heart and do what is in the best interests of the people he serves and step aside. Because of the severity of the allegations, it is my wish that we immediately start impeachment proceedings.”

GOP House Speaker Todd Richardson, House Speaker Pro Tem Elijah Haahr, and House Majority Floor Leader Rob Vescovo have also released a statement saying Greitens should call it quits. They didn’t go as far as Sen. Richard about beginning impeachment proceedings immediately.

“At the outset of this process, we said the governor needed to be forthright and accountable for his actions. After thoughtful consideration of the findings in the House committee’s report and today’s news that the Attorney General has evidence to support another felony charge, we believe the governor needs to take responsibility for his actions.

Leaders at all levels of government are entrusted with an incredible responsibility to the Missourians we represent. When leaders lose the ability to effectively lead our state, the right thing to do is step aside. In our view, the time has come for the governor to resign.”

Despite the building GOP resistence, Greitens has posted on Twitter that he’s in it to win it.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Hawley: Potential criminal acts committed by Greitens using veterans charity donor list

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Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley says evidence shows fellow Republican Governor Eric Greitens might have committed a felony by taking and using a charity donor list for campaign fundraising. Hawley says the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s office holds the power to decide whether to file charges against Greitens for allegedly getting the list without permission of officials from Greitens’ former St. Louis charity – The Mission Continues.

Gov. Greitens

“We have uncovered evidence of wrongdoing that goes beyond Missouri’s charity laws,” Hawley says. “To be specific, within the past several days, we have obtained evidence of potential criminal violations. As soon as we had evidence that we felt would rise to the level of probable cause, that’s the standard for charging a crime, we immediately moved to turn that evidence over.”

During a press conference today at his Jefferson City office, Hawley says that Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, a Democrat, must decide soon whether to pursue charges because of a law limiting how long legal action can be taken after a potential crime is committed. Hawley would not elaborate on the deadline for the statute of limitations but says it’s quickly approaching.

Missourinet has contacted Gardner’s office and it is reviewing the evidence. Her office has no comment on when a decision would be made about potential charges being filed.

Hawley says his investigation has not uncovered evidence of wrongdoing by the charity at this time, but his probe continues. The Attorney General’s office will also be sharing the evidence with a Missouri House committee investigating the governor.

Hawley’s announcement comes one day after Greitens’ attorney said the Attorney General’s Office should drop this investigation because Hawley urging Greitens to resign last week “clearly compromised” Hawley’s investigation. The attorney general calls the claim frivolous because the call was about allegations of sexual misconduct against Greitens – not the investigation into The Mission Continues.

Missourinet has contacted the Governor’s Office and is awaiting a response.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Greitens attorney says Hawley ‘clearly compromised’ probe into donor list; Hawley calls claim ‘frivolous’

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Attorney General Josh Hawley (on left) and Governor Eric Greitens (on right)

Governor Eric Greitens’ lawyer says fellow Republican Attorney General Josh Hawley urging Greitens to resign last week “clearly compromised” Hawley’s investigation. In a letter from Attorney Ed Dowd to Hawley’s office, he says that’s because Hawley has “predetermined the guilt of his own investigative target.”

Earlier this month, Hawley issued 15 subpoenas in his office’s investigation of a charity donor list from the Mission Continues – the organization founded by Greitens. Giving the governor’s campaign its donor list could violate federal law.

In a statement obtained by Missourinet, Hawley Press Secretary Mary Compton calls the attorney’s move frivolous. She says the attorney general called for the governor’s resignation because a House committee concluded there was credible evidence that the governor committed egregious sexual misconduct. She goes on to say the attorney general’s investigation into The Mission Continues does not address those allegations.

Hawley, the Republican favorite in a tight U.S. Senate race this year to unseat Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill, is among a growing list of GOP members who are distancing themselves from Greitens.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

See the full transcripts of witness testimony in Missouri House’s investigation of Greitens

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A Missouri House committee’s investigation of accusations against Governor Eric Greitens has been mostly closed to the public and press. The panel’s move to have several closed-door hearings has been criticized by some. However, the committee has brought a level of transparency by releasing full transcripts of witness testimony during the hearings.

Some of the key takeaways from the several hundred pages of transcripts:

*The alleged victim explains incident of sexual coercion and a threat of blackmail by Greitens.

*The woman continued a sexual relationship with Greitens after a photograph was allegedly taken and a threat of blackmail was made.

*Greitens told alleged victim he used a disposable “burner” phone to call her on different occasions.

*The woman states that she had stronger feelings for Greitens than he did for her.

*The alleged victim states that her ex-husband is jealous, controlling and wanted revenge on the governor.

*After affair started, the woman was followed on several occasions.

*Television reporter used a fake name to book a hair appointment to confront woman about affair with Greitens.

*The alleged victim found out moments before a television news report was going to air that her affair with the governor was going to be made public.

Click here to view the full transcripts.

WARNING: The report contains graphic material and sensitive language.

Greitens friend Scott Walker: “It’s difficult, if not impossible, for Greitens to continue to govern”

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2017 labor bill signing in St. Louis County with Govs. Greitens and Walker

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker suggests that it might be time for fellow Republican Governor Eric Greitens to call it quits. Walker, who campaigned for Greitens, calls the situation “horribly sad.”

“Looking at the what the legislature said there, if those reports are accurate and it seems like they keep reaffirming those, I don’t know how someone stays in that position. I mean, I just think for the citizens of that state, it’s difficult if not impossible to govern,” Walker says.

Greitens is under investigation for allegedly using sexual coercion, violence, and blackmail on his ex-mistress in 2015 while preparing a run for governor. He has admitted to having the affair but has denied any criminal offenses.

Last year, Walker, along with Greitens, attended a bill signing in St. Louis County that changed Missouri’s labor laws.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

New leadership named for troubled St. Louis Veterans Home

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Theresia Metz

The Missouri Veterans Commission has appointed Theresia Metz as the new administrator of the Missouri Veterans Home in St. Louis effective today. Metz is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator with more than 13 years in long term health care and over 30 years as a healthcare manager. Prior to her appointment, Metz was the administrator of an assisted living home in central Missouri’s Marshall.

As administrator, Metz will be responsible for the direction, operations, and planning of the 300-bed center.

“No group brings me more joy than our Veterans,” Metz said. “The Veterans we care for have bravely served and sacrificed for our nation. Now we are responsible for repaying them through skilled nursing care, attending to their needs and committing ourselves to treating them with the dignity they deserve. I am truly honored to serve at the St. Louis Veterans Home and to work with a team that’s fully committed to making a difference for all in our care.”

Residents have complained about inadequate care at the St. Louis facility that prompted several investigations there. The issues at the home have led to investigations at Missouri’s other six veterans homes.