JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. _ With a moving truck parked outside the Governor's Mansion and his legal troubles continuing to mount, Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens was poised to leave office Friday after a final, frenetic outburst of activity.
Facing a self-imposed 5 p.m. deadline to quit his $133,000-per-year job after announcing his resignation Tuesday, Greitens took action on 77 bills sent to him by the House and Senate.
Among the bills approved: a cut in the corporate income tax rate and new rules for how utility rates for companies like Ameren are regulated.
In addition, Greitens plans to issue pardons before he ends his 17-month tenure as an outsider Republican who came to the capital city to clean up politics.
While Lt. Gov. Mike Parson waits to be sworn in an Missouri's 57th governor at 5:30 p.m., Greitens is leaving with his political future in tatters.
On Friday, he was greeted by more legal woes.
In a ruling by Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem, Greitens and his employees were ordered to submit a list of phone numbers, names and phone models of anyone in the governor's office who used the Confide app, which destroys text messages immediately after they are read.
While Greitens was scrambling to close out his abbreviated stint as chief executive, his wife tweeted out a note of thanks.
"It has been an honor & privilege to serve as First Lady of my adopted state. I'm grateful to have had the chance to work w/so many who came together to protect & care for our kids, & for time in this wonderful home for our boys," first lady Sheena Greitens wrote.
The moving van left the mansion at about 1 p.m. In the Capitol, Greitens staffers were busy moving boxes out other personal items out of their suite of offices on the 2nd floor to make way for Parsons.
Many of Greitens' top aides won't be back after the weekend.
Parson, meanwhile, called his ascension a "huge undertaking," but said he would bring stability to the office.
"It's important that we maintain the Office of the Governor and that we show the people of Missouri to assure them that everything's fine and government is going to go forward," Parson told KMOX radio.
Before leaving office Friday, Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens scrambled to sign 77 pieces of legislation into law.
"My job right now is to work hard and make sure I'm prepared and do the best I can to make this transfer of power as smooth as possible," he said.
The Confide lawsuit, which was filed by the Sunshine Project, focuses on whether using the app violated state laws designed to provide transparency in government.
Attorney Mark Pedroli said the ruling will help identify the people in the office of governor, including the governor, who used Confide.
"Obviously we are pleased that Judge Beetem has taken this seriously and issued an order for the governor's office to comply by 1 p.m.," Pedroli told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
But, he added, "This means they can't destroy the evidence."
The governor's office had no immediate response to the decision, which is just one of the legal problems hanging over his head.
On Wednesday, felony charges against Greitens for taking the donor list from The Mission Continues were dropped by St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner in exchange for him leaving office.
But, he still faces an investigation by Attorney General Josh Hawley and a separate probe by a special House committee that was investigating his possible impeachment. Lawmakers also have spoken to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about possible legal breaches by the governor.
Hawley, meanwhile, briefed Parson Friday on lawsuits affecting the state. He exited the meeting saying Parson is well-equipped to step into the role.
"I think that the incoming governor is prepared. I was extremely impressed with the work that he has done in 48 hours. It's really remarkable," Hawley said.
