Gov. Greitens admits to extramarital affair, denies blackmail allegations
UPDATE: Gov. Greitens’ attorney, James F. Bennett, sent the following statement to ABC 17 News in regards to the KMOV story:
“The governor has now seen the TV report that ran tonight. The station
declined to provide the tape or transcript in advance of running their
story, which contained multiple false allegations. The claim that this
nearly three-year old story has generated or should generate law enforcement
interest is completely false. There was no blackmail and that claim is
false. This personal matter has been addressed by the Governor and Mrs.
Greitens privately years ago when it happened. The outrageous claims of
improper conduct regarding these almost three-year-ago events are false.”
ORIGINAL STORY: According to a story from KMOV in St. Louis, Gov. Greitens admitted to an extramarital affair that began in 2015.
The report doesn’t name the woman involved in the affair, but does cite the woman’s ex-husband as the source of the story.
KMOV released the following statement from the Governor and his wife:
“A few years ago, before Eric was elected Governor, there was a time when he was unfaithful in our marriage. This was a deeply personal mistake. Eric took responsibility, and we dealt with this together honestly and privately. While we never would have wished for this pain in our marriage, or the pain that this has caused others, with God’s mercy Sheena has forgiven and we have emerged stronger. We understand that there will be some people who cannot forgive – but for those who can find it in your heart, Eric asks for your forgiveness, and we are grateful for your love, your compassion, and your prayers.”
“We have a loving marriage and an awesome family; anything beyond that is between us and God. I want the media and those who wish to peddle gossip to stay away from me and my children.”
The Greitens administration referred reporters to the St. Louis-based firm Dowd Bennett when asked for a comment. James Bennett provided this statement to ABC 17 News on Wednesday night:
“The governor has now seen the TV report that ran tonight . The station
declined to provide the tape or transcript in advance of running their
story, which contained multiple false allegations. The claim that this
nearly three-year old story has generated or should generate law enforcement
interest is completely false. There was no blackmail and that claim is
false. This personal matter has been addressed by the Governor and Mrs.
Greitens privately years ago when it happened. The outrageous claims of
improper conduct regarding these almost three-year-ago events are false.”
Bennett told ABC 17 News that he first asked for a transcript or copy of the recording on Wednesday when KMOV asked for a comment. The station quotes from a recording the woman’s ex-husband made when he confronted her about the affair.
