Missouri's governor Eric Greitens resigns from office over assault scandal
- Eric Greitens, Missouri's governor, has announced his decision to resign from office
- Reports said that Greitens' decision was as a result of the extramarital affair scandal he is involved in
- Greitens said that the resignation will take effective from Friday, June 1
Eric Greitens, Missouri’s governor and Republican rising star announced his resignation on Tuesday, May 29, following a scandal involving an extramarital affair with his former hairdresser that led to a broader investigation by prosecutors and state legislators.
Gretens (44-year-old) and a one-time Rhodes Scholar and Navy Seal officer made the announcement nearly 17 months after taking the oath as Missouri’s state chief executive. He had pledged to kicked against corrupt politicians, The Guardian reports.
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Investigations about him also involved the probe as to whether he misappropriated funds to finance his campaign.
A jury in St Louis indicted Greitens on Thursday, February 22, on one felony count of invasion of privacy for allegedly taking a photo of the woman in question without her consent, at his home in 2015.
The charge was dismissed during jury selection, but a special prosecutor was considering whether to refile charges.
In April, the local St Louis prosecutor’s office charged Greitens with another felony, alleging that he improperly used the donor list for a charity that he’d founded to raise money for his 2016 campaign.
The Missouri state legislature recently began meeting in special session to consider whether to pursue impeachment proceedings against Greitens.
The woman involved had already told a Missouri House investigative committee that Greitens restrained, slapped, shoved and threatened her during a series of sexual encounters that at times left her crying and afraid.
Greitens said the allegations amounted to a “political witch hunt” and vowed to stay in office. But ultimately both Republicans and Democrats were calling for his resignation.
His departure elevates fellow Republican Mike Parson, the lieutenant governor, to the governor’s office.
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Greitens’ administration was thrown into chaos the night of 10 January 2018, when a St Louis TV station aired a report about Greitens allegedly taking the compromising photo and threatening to blackmail the woman if she ever spoke of their encounter.
Although he admitted to having an affair, Greitens denied any criminal wrongdoing on his part, contrary to viral reports.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Nuhu Gidado who is the deputy governor of Bauchi state had tendered his resignation letter. The deputy governor reportedly resigned on Wednesday, May 23.
Legit.ng gathered that he sent his letter to Governor Mohammed Abubakar over waning desire in the job.
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Source: Legit.ng
