A group of bipartisan state senators is calling for an investigation into Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens.
The group, which includes Sen. Jason Holsman (D – Kansas City), Sen. Ryan Silvey (R – Kansas City) and Sen. Rob Schaff (R – St. Joseph), are among six co-sponsors of the legislation that was introduced Monday afternoon.
The legislation calls for a non-partisan committee that would investigate Greitens’s role in any illegal activity by the governor’s campaign and any on-going coordination, according to a release, “between the governor’s campaign, official office and a New Missouri.”
"Our understanding is that The Mission Continues is saying they didn't give the list to him so we're all wanting to know where did you get the list? How did the list end up in your campaign for you to finance off of," Sen. Ryan Silvey said.
Rockhurst Assistant Professor Thomas Ringenberg said, "Technically there's some legal issues there because the charity is not supposed to be involved in politics. This particular type of nonprofit. Did he know that this was a list that he should not have received? Did he tell somebody to give this list? This is something they would probably want to investigate."
Parker Briden, a spokesman for Gov. Greitens, sent the following statement to 41 Action News:
"We put out a call for a special session to protect lives and the health and safety of Missourians, and this is the response from these politicians? They’re angry that the Governor is shaking up Jefferson City and won’t accept their excuses for failure any longer. Temper tantrums from career politicians don’t bother us. It’s just more evidence that Governor Greitens is an outsider who is doing what he said he would do: taking on politicians in both parties to get results. When career politicians are whining, Missourians are winning."
Silvey argues, "With this stuff going on in his own organization, his own political machine, he's not helping with the skepticism people have about government. I think we would like to just help clear that up."
According to Rindenberg, this call for an investigation could be in retaliation for things like, "Some advertisements that have been run against them or for proposed rule changes or not being invited to bill signings. There are some disputes between, infighting between these Republicans."
Silvey said the issue is, "If somebody broke the law or somebody violated the ethics rules then they need to be held accountable."
The senate president pro-tem could create an interim committee to launch the investigation, but no word yet on if he will.
Missouri legislators are in Jefferson City this week for a special session called by the governor.
