Senator files resolution to create team to investigate governor
Sen. Jason Holsman (D – Jackson County) has filed a resolution that would create a team of five senators to investigate the Office of the Governor.
Senate Resolution 4 would “establish a committee to investigate the Office of the Governor,” the resolution reads. “The committee is comprised of three senators appointed by the President Pro Tempore and two senators appointed by the minority leader of the Senate.”
The resolution reads in part that the Missouri Ethics Commission investigated a complaint against the governor and his candidate committee.
It claims the Commission found “reasonable grounds” existed to believe Eric Greitens and his candidate committee violated ethics laws.
The resolution claims Greitens and his team received a list of potential donors. The list apparently came from “The Mission Continues,” a group co-founded by Greitens.
The resolution claims Greitens’ team did not disclose the list until after the Ethics Commission issued a consent order. It also claims Greitens’ team has still not released the name of the person who gave them the list.
The resolution also claims another Greitens’ group, A New Missouri, “clearly and repeatedly meets statutory definition, but refuses to file as a lobbyist or lobbying organization.”
A New Missouri is a non-profit group and is not required to disclose contributor information.
The resolution says the established investigative team will hold hearings and subpoena witnesses and documents need to investigate any “misconduct, crimes and corruption.”
Gov. Greitens responded to the resolution in a statement Tuesday night:
“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.”
If the resolution is adopted, the committee would begin work when it is adopted and may continue its investigation until December 31, 2018.
