JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri House Minority Leader has filed a resolution that asks the special House committee to start the impeachment process against Republican Gov. Eric Greitens.
Tuesday night, the Republican leadership of the Missouri House and Senate both called for Greitens to resign.
In a joint statement, Speaker of the House Todd Richardson and others asked the governor to do the right thing and “step aside.”
Shortly after that announcement Gov. Greitens said in a statement that he will not resign and is awaiting his day in court.
"I will not be resigning the Governor's office. In three weeks, this matter will go to a court of law—where it belongs and where the facts will prove my innocence. Until then, I will do what the people of Missouri sent me here to do: to serve them and work hard on their behalf." — Gov. Eric Greitens
But late Tuesday night Kansas City Rep. Gail McCann Beatty, a Democrat, filed the resolution that, if passed, would authorize a special committee to introduce articles of impeachment against Gov. Greitens.
"Should the governor not heed the call to resign, I would join with my colleagues to impeach him, but beyond that we will have to bring the state together,” said Clay County Rep. Kevin Corlew.
What led up to this:
Tuesday, state Attorney General Josh Hawley said Greitens broke the law by allegedly using a charity donor list for political gain.
"The report from the committee that we saw last week, to now with the Attorney General Josh Hawley finally coming around to saying he committed a crime — I don't see how we have any other option other than to move forward with impeachment in the House,” said Kansas City Rep. Greg Razer.
Greitens’ charity, which he founded before his run for governor, is called The Mission Continues, and "empowers veterans who are adjusting to life at home to find purpose through community impact," according to its website.
The attorney general does not have the jurisdiction to charge Greitens with the Class D felony, which appears to be related to the case. Hawley said he turned over all evidence to the St. Louis prosecutor, where the alleged crime happened.
As statute of limitations approaches, the St. Louis prosecutor will soon have to decide if she wants to bring a new charge against Greitens.
And a week ago, a special House committee released a bombshell report that gives a detailed account from the woman Greitens had an affair with.
According to the alleged victim, Greitens physically assaulted her and allegedly blackmailed her with a nude photo.
Greitens has denied those claims and said he wants to be proven innocent in court.
The trial for the invasion of privacy charge is May 14 in St. Louis.
Lawmakers could vote on beginning impeachment process as early as Wednesday.
