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McCaskill: Russia likely affected all 50 U.S. states in 2016 elections

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U.S. Department of Homeland Security official Jeanette Manfra says sensors at the state level and other intelligence have verified that Russia targeted 21 states in the 2016 elections. During a U.S. Senate Homeland Security committee hearing on Tuesday, Missouri Democrat Claire McCaskill said the American people have been misled about Russia’s election interference.

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri

“It’s my understanding that a number of the states don’t have the tools to capture that activity,” said McCaskill. “So, we really have no idea how many states that Russia tried to hack. It’s likely that all 50 states were likely affected and that states that were not on that list were less vulnerable, but that’s simply not true. States not on that list in fact might be more vulnerable.”

Manfra went on to say the majority of states were probably a target but the agency’s work shows hackers scanning for vulnerabilities, not breaking into election systems. Manfra said only a small number of state systems were actually hacked. Federal officials insist there is no evidence of vote tallies being altered.

Missouri Secretary of State spokesperson Maura Browning says the Show-Me State has sensors to indicate possible interference and Missouri is not one of the states showing Russia targeted its elections in 2016.

Seventeen states have requested on-site vulnerability assessments of their election systems. Browning does not disclose whether such testing has been done here but says the state works with the Department of Homeland Security on an ongoing basis.

Missouri judge continues to weigh request to dismiss prosecutor in felony case against Greitens

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St. Louis Circuit Judge Rex Burlison is considering a request to disqualify St. Louis prosecutors in a second criminal case involving Gov. Eric Greitens. The governor’s defense team argues that the special investigator, William Don Tisaby, who was hired by the circuit attorney lied repeatedly in Greitens’ felony invasion of privacy case, all under St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner’s watch. During Tuesday’s court hearing, the defense claims this has tainted Gardner’s ability to prosecute a felony computer data tampering case against Greitens. The defense wants a special prosecutor assigned to the case.

St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner

The prosecution argues that Tisaby’s involvement in the computer data tampering case has been minimal.

The judge made no ruling but told attorneys to submit a list to him of potential special prosecutors.

On Friday, Gardner, a Democrat charged Greitens by complaint with computer tampering, which is like electronic theft. The charge stems from the governor’s alleged attempt to take and use a donor list from his former charity – The Mission Continues – without the permission of charity officials.

Last year, Greitens paid a $100 penalty after admitting he received the donor list. The donor information was used to bankroll the governor’s political campaign.

Greitens, a Republican, has criticized Gardner’s second charge against him by saying Gardner will use any charge she can to smear him. He is scheduled to go on trial May 14 for a felony invasion of privacy charge.

By Alisa Nelson and Missourinet contributing reporter Jill Enders

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Veteran Missouri lawmaker looks ahead to county service (AUDIO)

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The Missouri House Transportation Committee Chairman will be the next presiding commissioner in southwest Missouri’s Newton County.

State Rep. Bill Reiboldt (R-Neosho) speaks on the Missouri House floor in March 2017 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications}

State Rep. Bill Reiboldt, R-Neosho, who’s unopposed in November, describes Newton County as rural.

“We do have a lot of farms, a lot of county roads, we are bumping, we are a class two county, Newton County and getting close to that class one classification in Missouri,” Reiboldt says.

Newton County has about 58,000 residents.

Reiboldt is scheduled to become the next Newton County Presiding Commissioner in January.

He notes the county has Crowder College and a National Guard facility at the former Camp Crowder site.

Term limits prohibit Reiboldt from running again for the House. He’s in his eighth and final year in Jefferson City.

Reiboldt is most proud of his work on agricultural-related issues in the House. He served as the House Ag Policy Committee’s vice chairman for his first two years, then served as chairman for four years.

“And we saw some really good things come through the House and signed into law,” says Reiboldt. “My dairy bill, my farming rights statewide constitutional amendment. I’m very proud of that.”

Meantime, House Transportation Committee Chairman Reiboldt’s primary seat belt legislation has not received a hearing yet in 2018.

He says the bill could save a minimum of about 60 lives annually in Missouri.

“Safety is a huge issue for our state. I want everybody that uses the roadways, all your families to get home safely. I want to keep the drunks and the texters off our roadways,” Reiboldt says.

Missouri’s transportation system task force has recommended a primary seat belt law, which would allow police officers to enforce the law as a stand-alone offense.

Reiboldt says 64 percent of Missourians killed on the road in 2017 were not wearing seat belts.

 

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and State Rep. Bill Reiboldt, R-Neosho, which was recorded on April 5, 2018 at the Statehouse in Jefferson City:

(DOCUMENTS) Greitens charged with felony in charity donor list controversy

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Gov. Eric Greitens

Gov. Eric Greitens, R, has been charged with another felony – this time for tampering with computer data. St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner has charged Greitens in response to taking a donor list from the governor’s former charity – The Mission Continues – allegedly without the proper permission of charity officials. That list was used for campaign fundraising purposes. Gardner has filed the charge against Greitens with two possible ways of potentially convicting him.

A law limiting how long legal action can be taken after a potential crime is committed made today the last day that Gardner, a former Democratic State Representative, could file charges. The statute of limitations for such charges is three years.

Earlier this week, Attorney General Josh Hawley, a Republican, turned over evidence of his investigation into the donor list to Gardner that he said “would rise to the level of probable cause”. He said the deadline to file charges was quickly approaching.

“The Office stands ready to assist the Circuit Attorney’s Office where appropriate and if needed. These are serious charges—and an important reminder that no one is above the law in Missouri. Like all criminal defendants, Governor Greitens is presumed innocent under the law until proven guilty,” Hawley says in a press release.

St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner

Greitens’ lawyers responded to Hawley’s announcement earlier this week by calling the claim “frivolous” and “inappropriate.”

Last year, Greitens paid a $100 penalty to the Missouri Ethics Commission after admitting he received the donor list.

A court date has not been scheduled.

To see the corresponding documents with the charges, click here.

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

Flurry of accusations and charges fuel political and legal upheaval in Missouri

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Attorney General Josh Hawley’s announcement of a potential felony crime by Governor Eric Greitens has further entangled legal matters within politics in Missouri.

Hawley slammed together a Tuesday news conference roughly thirty minutes after notifying the press of the event.  There, he let on that fellow Republican Greitens might have committed a felony by taking and using a charity donor list for campaign fundraising.

Hawley’s announcement came roughly 24 hours after Greitens’ attorney called on Hawley to recuse himself from the very investigation that led to his press conference.

Attorney Edward Dowd Jr. contended Hawley’s act of requesting that Greitens resign had clearly compromised Hawley’s investigation.  Hawley had joined a growing list of elected officeholders calling for Greitens to step down after a House panel released a report in which a woman claimed Greitens had physically abused and sexually coerced her.

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, a Democrat, is prosecuting Greitens on felony charges related to his alleged misconduct.  Gardner would also have jurisdiction to bring additional felony charges against Greitens based on the evidence announced by Hawley Thursday.

But another one of Greitens lawyers, James Martin, has accused Gardner of misconduct and “gross incompetence”.

All of the activity just described took place during the last week. (A couple of more up to the minute announcements are included below.)

Meanwhile, it doesn’t seem as though the political and legal wrangling will subside anytime soon.  Greitens trial is set to start May 14th, although the proceedings of almost daily pre-trial hearings have dominated recent news cycles.

The judge in his criminal case, will issue a decision Thursday on whether to dismiss the case after the defense claimed the prosecution improperly withheld evidence, namely the video recording in question along with accompanying notes, for months.

Judge Rex Burlison was said to be angry at Circuit Attorney Gardner for her level of performance in the existing case against Greitens.

Her office has failed to produce a photo which is key to the felony charges.  She’s also accused of persuading a person to commit perjury by the defense for knowingly allowing her prosecution’s hired private investigator, William Don Tisaby, to lie under oath about not taking notes that were later turned over to the defense.

If Gardner’s not feeling stressed over the current case against Greitens, she’s about to feel the pressure to beat the clock in filing new charges against the governor.

Hawley said Tuesday that Gardner 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.

Greitens’ legal team didn’t waste time responding to Hawley’s accusation against the governor.  Attorney Martin issued a statement to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, which reads: “We’ve done a thorough review of this matter, and we know that there’s no wrongdoing here.  The Attorney General held a completely frivolous and inappropriate press conference on a non-issue.”

Still, Greitens faces the possibility of two cases with felony charges against him.  The Republican majority leadership in the legislature is organizing for the possibility of calling a special session to consider impeaching Greitens, while Democratic minority leaders are pushing for immediate impeachment proceedings.

According to Missourinet’s former news director and resident historian Bob Priddy, the only governor removed from office in Missouri was Claiborne Fox Jackson in 1861.

“Jackson lied during his campaign by pretending to be against secession when actually he was plotting to take Missouri South,” said Priddy.  “When he was sworn in, he immediately asserted that Missouri’s lot was tied to the fate of the seceding states.”

Both Greitens and Attorney General Hawley were elected to statewide seats in 2016 as first time elected officials.

Hawley is now the front-runner to face incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill this November.  How the present course of events will play out for him remains to be seen.

Hawley has increasingly distanced himself from Greitens since the fellow GOP member was first accused of sexual misconduct and coercion with the woman.  However, recent polling shows Greitens has continuing support among core voters.

A survey released last week by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research showed that a plurality of voters in the heavily Republican-leaning regions outside Kansas City and St. Louis still approve of Greiten’s job performance and don’t think he should resign.

Then again, political fallout continues at a furious pace in Missouri.

Republican House Speaker Todd Richardson, House Speaker Pro Tem Elijah Haahr, and House Majority Floor Leader Rob Vescovo issued a statement Tuesday night calling for Governor Greitens to resign.  Going a step further, GOP Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard said in a statement that it’s his wish to “immediately start impeachment proceedings”. The potential process must begin in the House.

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

Both sides in Missouri right-to-work debate focus on jobs/wages (AUDIO)

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A Democratic state lawmaker from St. Louis is urging Missourians to vote against a right-to-work referendum, saying right-to-work is “wrong for Missouri.”

The sponsor of the right-to-work bill, however, says it would increase union jobs in Missouri.

State Rep. Bruce Franks speaks on the Missouri House floor on May 24, 2017 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at Missouri House Communications}

State Rep. Bruce Franks Jr., D-St. Louis, who opposes right-to-work, notes his father was a longtime union member.

“Right-to-work states usually have more unsafe workplaces as well as lower wages,” Franks says.

Right-to-work says a person cannot be required to join or refrain from joining a labor organization, as a condition of employment.

Franks rallied against right-to-work in late March outside the Statehouse in Jefferson City, with a few thousand labor union members.

“Unions have fought to get us 40-hour workweeks and overtime and all of the benefits that we now benefit from in our workforce,” says Franks.

Missourians will cast ballots on a right-to-work referendum in November, unless the Legislature designates a different date for Proposition A.

State Rep. Holly Rehder, R-Sikeston, the right-to-work bill sponsor, has filed legislation to move the election to August 7.

During a recent interview with Missourinet, House Economic Development Committee Chair Rehder says she’s looked at right-to-work states.

“Those states are the ones increasing in jobs and those states have union membership increasing, while Missouri has had union membership decreasing every single year for the last, what, 30 years,” Rehder said.

Missouri Governor Eric Greitens (R) campaigned in 2016 for right-to-work, and signed Rehder’s bill into law in February 2017.

During the 2017 bill-signing ceremony, Greitens said that from 1995-2015, the five fastest states for job growth were all right-to-work states.

Union members and their supporters gathered enough signatures to place the referendum on the statewide ballot, so Rehder’s bill is essentially on-hold until the ballot measure.

As for Representative Franks, his large district includes downtown St. Louis, along with large sections of both the north and south sides.

“I got strong union folks throughout the 78th (House) district. My dad was a 20-year Teamster, Local 688,” Franks says.

Franks’ district includes Anheuser-Busch.

About 60 percent of Missourians rejected a right-to-work ballot measure in 1978.

 

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and State Rep. Bruce Franks Jr., which was recorded outside the Statehouse in Jefferson City on March 28, 2018:

 

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet