Eric Greitens Rejects Calls To Resign Amid Sex Scandal
Eric Greitens Image by Rubenstein Public Relations
By Nathan Guttman January 17, 2018
A week after Missourians were shocked to learn their governor had an extramarital affair and allegedly tried to blackmail the woman involved, Eric Greitens is speaking out and responding to calls for him to step down.
“I assure you that this personal mistake will not deter us from the mission we were sent here to do,” Greitens said in a statement he posted on Facebook and emailed to supporters. “We have been, and we will, continue to work for and to fight for the people of Missouri.”
Greitens, the first Jewish governor of Missouri and a rising star in Republican politics, admitted to having an affair, but continued to push back against allegations that he had forcefully tied and blindfolded the women and then took her picture, threatening to use it against her if she speaks out about the affair. Greitens said these claims were false and “extremely hurtful.”
Calls for Greitens to step down were voiced by both Democrats and by members of his own party. A criminal investigation into allegations of blackmail has been launched by the St. Louis circuit attorney.
Contact Nathan Guttman at [email protected] or on Twitter @nathanguttman
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.
If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
