JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. _ St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner will launch a criminal investigation into accusations engulfing Gov. Eric Greitens, she announced Thursday afternoon.
Greitens' Wednesday acknowledgement of an extramarital affair _ and denial of possible blackmail _ shook the GOP-controlled state capital on Thursday.
While GOP legislative leaders limited their statements to expressions of concern and requests that Greitens be honest about what happened, a bipartisan chorus of senators called on Attorney General Josh Hawley, a Republican, to investigate.
"The seriousness of this allegation and the implications it will have on the integrity of our state government are deeply disturbing," their letter said.
But a spokeswoman for Hawley said Gardner has jurisdiction. In a statement, Gardner said she would launch an investigation.
"The serious allegations against Missouri Governor Eric Greitens are very troubling. After further consideration, I have decided to launch a formal investigation," she said.
"It is essential for residents of the City of St. Louis and our state to have confidence in their leaders. 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."
The scandal has the potential to upend the political career of Greitens, an ex-Navy SEAL who elbowed his way past Missouri's political establishment in 2016 to assume the state's top job. His out-of-state travel, ambition and aptitude for fundraising indicate aspirations beyond Missouri's borders.
The frenzy in Jefferson City was triggered Wednesday night by a story on St. Louis television station KMOV. It quoted a man who provided a recording of his then-wife telling him that Greitens partially undressed her, taped her to exercise equipment, took her photo and then threatened to release the photo if she ever told anyone about the encounter.
"You're never going to mention my name," Greitens told the woman, according to her account on the recording. "Otherwise, this picture will be everywhere."
In the recorded account, the woman objects only after Greitens made that comment and began kissing her. On the recording, the woman says she told Greitens: "You need to stop. I don't want this. I don't want this. I don't want this." Greitens then stopped and backed off, the woman said on the recording.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch had obtained the same recording and had interviewed the man. The newspaper did not initially publish his story because the woman declined to respond to interview requests. The television report and the governor's statement prompted the Post-Dispatch to revisit that decision.
Greitens on Wednesday night confessed to having an affair, but denied through his lawyer that he took a photo, threatened the woman with releasing it or was ever violent with her.
Greitens' attorney, James Bennett of the St. Louis-firm of Dowd Bennett, said his client is considering a lawsuit in response to the stunning accusations. He said Greitens was not using taxpayer dollars to assemble his legal team. He added that A New Missouri, a pro-Greitens non-profit that doesn't have to disclose donations, also wasn't funding his legal team.
In addition to denying any charges of blackmail, Bennett added: "Any allegation of violence is completely false. It never happened. There was never any violence. This was a consensual relationship that lasted multiple months and was years ago before Eric was elected Governor."
The political fallout was immediate and widespread.
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner of neighboring Illinois _ a $100,000 contributor to Greitens _ withdrew a TV ad that featured Greitens and other Republicans, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune.
The Washington Examiner reported that Greitens included his wife, Sheena Greitens, on a conference call with donors to deny some of the allegations against him and to assure them he was "committed to continuing in office."
Greitens is slated to speak in Las Vegas in February to the Republican Jewish Coalition. That invitation still stands, the organization's executive director said Thursday.
"Eric is family to the RJC and as such our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family during this difficult time," Matt Brooks said, in a statement released by the group. "Regarding his attendance at our meeting in Las Vegas, that is a decision that he and his wife will have to make in the coming weeks as they figure out how best to move forward."
Loree Anne Paradise, deputy chief of staff for Hawley, said in a statement that jurisdiction in this case rests with the local prosecuting attorney.
There were no indications that anyone other than Gardner would investigate. Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesman John Hotz said no investigation was underway. U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen would not confirm or deny any investigation. Nor would Rebecca Wu, a spokeswoman for the FBI's St. Louis office.
Lawmakers said they want answers, and it appeared likely they would start their own probe.
"There are many questions still left unanswered," said Senate Minority Leader Gina Walsh of Bellefontaine Neighbors and Sen. Shalonn "Kiki" Curls of Kansas City.
"Allegations of extortion, coercion, or threats of violence must be investigated by the proper authorities," they said. "People accused of these egregious acts do not get to waive off the scrutiny of law enforcement simply because they are in a position of power; and victims of these crimes deserve our full support."
The House on Thursday morning gathered in a formal session, only to adjourn after a few minutes. Members did not take expected action on any measures, including a proposal to restrict lobbyist gifts, which is a key part of Greitens' agenda to clean up Jefferson City.
It was unclear whether the abbreviated work day had to do with the impending inclement weather, the red-hot scandal, some other reason or some combination.
Before that session, House Republicans huddled behind closed doors in a basement hearing room in the Capitol.
"We talked about the fact that there are two families who have been impacted negatively," said Rep. Jean Evans, R-Manchester. "Everybody was obviously disappointed _ at a minimum _ for him having an affair."
On the other allegations: "We're still learning, and at this point we can only make judgments on things based on what we know to be fact and not hearsay," she said, referencing the accusation of a compromising photo being taken without consent.
In Washington, Missouri's congressional delegation largely stayed quiet.
But in Jefferson City, statements trickled in all day from Republicans, Democrats and interest groups. Some simply expressed concern about the allegations and the hope that Greitens would be forthright, some called for investigations, and others insinuated that the governor should resign. Some went all the way, demanding his resignation.
"The Legislature must hold our state's top elected official to a higher standard," state Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, said on Twitter. "That is why I am asking all of the women in the General Assembly to join me in calling for the Governor's resignation."
She also called Greitens a "homewrecker" on the Senate floor.
Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, said in a tweet he supported the bipartisan quest urging Hawley to probe the "allegation of blackmail."
He said if the allegations were true, he would urge the governor to resign.
At around 9 a.m. Thursday morning, House Minority Leader Gail McCann Beatty, D-Kansas City, said it was too early to call on the governor to resign.
"I think the allegations are against the governor are very disturbing," she said. "We are very concerned about that. But at this point in time, you know, I think our concerns are with his family and I think we just need to wait and see."
Rep. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, said Greitens should do the "right thing" if the allegations were true, though he would not clarify what that would be.
"If your readers can't figure that out, then you need to get new readers," said. "If it's not (true), then he needs to fight it."
A spokeswoman for Lt. Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, said he would comment on the scandal in the coming days. Parson would become governor if Greitens resigns or is otherwise forced out of office.
Sen. Rob Schaaf, a St. Joseph Republican who is one of Greitens' most vocal critics, had this to say on Twitter Wednesday night: "Stick a fork in him."
