Tag Archives: Eric Greitens.

Eric Greitens (r) – quarterly campaign finance report – July 2018

16 Monday Jul 2018

Posted by in campaign finance, Missouri Governor

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Eric Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].

Quarterly campaign finance reports were due in at 5:00 p.m. today at the Missouri Ethics Commission. Former Governor (yes, he resigned) Eric Greitens (r) had a campaign committee with a balance of several million dollars. The committee still has a substantial balance, but it did spend a lot of money this past quarter. The summary:

C151053: Greitens For Missouri
Committee Type: Candidate
Po Box 144
Jefferson City Mo 65102
Party Affiliation: Republican
Established Date: 02/24/2015
[….]
Information Reported On: 2018 – July Quarterly Report
Beginning Money on Hand $2,512,422.15
Monetary Receipts + $2,330,030.96
Monetary Expenditures – $1,362,637.00
Contributions Made – $700.00
Other Disbursements – $2,331,352.88
Subtotal ($1,364,658.92)
Ending Money On Hand $1,147,763.23

Let’s look at some of the expenditures:

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION
ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES OVER $100 SUPPLEMENTAL FORM
7/16/2018 Greitens For Missouri

Victory Phones 190 Monroe Ave NW 5th Floor Grand Rapids MI 49503 4/7/2018 Statewide Survey $3,250.00
Something Else Strategies 212 Golden Willow Court Easley SC 29642 4/7/2018 Media Production $6,740.00
Bask Digital Media 225 Broadway Suite 420 San Diego CA 92101 4/11/2018 Digital Media Services $20,000.00

Chalmers Burch & Adams LLC 5805 State Bridge Road #G77 Johns Creek GA 30097 4/18/2018 Legal fees $13,892.50
Bask Digital Media 225 Broadway Suite 420 San Diego CA 92101 4/18/2018 Digital Media Services $15,000.00
Graves Garrett LLC 1100 Main Street Suite 2700 Kansas City MO 64105 4/26/2018 Legal fees $12,374.95
Husch Blackwell LLP 235 E High Street PO Box 1251 Jefferson City MO 65101 4/26/2018 Legal fees $27,685.70

Jimmy Soni 397 Degraw St Brooklyn NY 11231 5/2/2018 Communications Services $30,000.00
Something Else Strategies 212 Golden Willow Court Easley SC 29642 5/10/2018 Media Production $12,790.00
Chalmers Burch & Adams LLC 5805 State Bridge Road #G77 Johns Creek GA 30097 5/15/2018 Legal fees $10,991.13
Bask Digital Media 225 Broadway Suite 420 San Diego CA 92101 5/22/2018 Digital Media Services $75,000.00

Target Enterprises 15260 Ventura Blvd Suite 1240 Sherman Oaks CA 91403 5/22/2018 Advertising $509,431.50
Something Else Strategies 212 Golden Willow Court Easley SC 29642 5/25/2018 Media Production $5,215.00
Husch Blackwell LLP 235 E High Street PO Box 1251 Jefferson City MO 65101 5/25/2018 Legal fees $46,199.20
Jimmy Soni 397 Degraw St Brooklyn NY 11231 5/31/2018 Communications Services $10,000.00

Something Else Strategies 212 Golden Willow Court Easley SC 29642 6/15/2018 Media Production $13,615.00
Chalmers Burch & Adams LLC 5805 State Bridge Road #G77 Johns Creek GA 30097 6/15/2018 Legal fees $21,850.00
Husch Blackwell LLP 235 E High Street PO Box 1251 Jefferson City MO 65101 6/15/2018 Legal fees $477,392.94
Jimmy Soni 397 Degraw St Brooklyn NY 11231 6/20/2018 Communications Services $8,000.00
Jimmy Soni 397 Degraw St Brooklyn NY 11231 6/30/2018 Communications Services $10,000.00

There you have it, Eric Greitens’ (r) career in politics in a nutshell – public relations, advertising, and legal fees.

Thus endeth the lesson.

Previously:

Oh, my. (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 2 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 3 (January 11, 2018)

אַ שאַנדע פֿאַר די גוים and *IOKIYAR (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 4 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 5 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 6 (January 12, 2018)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r): not exactly a ringing endorsement (January 12, 2018)

Gov. Eric Greitens (r): piping (January 16, 2018)

Oh, my – part 7 (January 16, 2018)

Waiting… (January 19, 2018)

Oh, my – part 8 (January 29, 2018)

The unanswered question (February 8, 2018)

RSMo § 565.252 (February 22, 2018)

Well, you were the one who used a blindfold and tape. (February 22, 2018)

Well, he was the one who used a blindfold and tape. (February 23, 2018)

A few words of advice (February 26, 2018)

Eric Greitens (r) and the House – pass the popcorn (March 6, 2018)

Oh, my – part 9 (March 6, 2018)

“That’s not how you spell bare.” (March 7, 2018)

It’s their world, the rest of us only get to live in it (April 8, 2018)

The popcorn is ready (April 10, 2018)

The Report (April 11, 2018)

Call it what it is (April 11, 2018)

Go away, asshole. (April 12, 2018)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r-21): impeach Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Getting ironical about Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Standing ovation (April 14, 2018)

Quid pro quo (April 16, 2018)

It’s a fine mess he’s gotten himself into… (April 17, 2018)

Really, just go away… (April 17, 2018)

HR 6783: Impeachment (April 18, 2018)

Unhinged (April 19, 2018)

Really unhinged (April 19, 2019)

Seriously, just go away already… (April 20, 2018)

He doth protest too much, methinks… (April 20, 2018)

No, Chuck Raasch, nobody’s giving Eric Greitens’ scandals short shrift (April 22, 2018)

Does somebody want to tell them? (April 25, 2018)

Our life on the “D List” (April 30, 2018)

The Report – supplement (May 1, 2018)

HR 7432: Impeachment (May 1, 2018)

The second report (May 2, 2018)

Rep. Gina Mitten (D): shining a light in the dark money campaign finance neighborhood (May 2, 2018)

The process begins (May 4, 2018)

The Petition for a Special Session of the General Assembly to consider “disciplinary actions against Governor Eric R. Greitens” (May 4, 2018)

Campaign Finance: in the news (May 6, 2018)

Oxford coma (May 7, 2018)

A definition (May 13, 2018)

Felony invasion of privacy case against Eric Greitens (r) dropped (May 14, 2018)

“So far, so good…” (May 14, 2018)

Jean Peters Baker appointed as special prosecutor in Greitens (r) case (May 21, 2018)

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – transcript of witness deposition – cross examination (May 23, 2018)

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – transcript of witness deposition – on Koster and Greitens (May 22, 2018)

HR 2: Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – the process for impeachment (May 22, 2018)

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – Scott Faughn (May 23, 2018)

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – not going to allow “cherry picking” (May 25, 2018)

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – Michael Hafner (May 29, 2018)

Eric Greitens (r) resigns as Governor of Missouri (May 29, 2018)

State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D) on the resignation of Eric Greitens (r) as Governor of Missouri (May 29, 2018)

Senator Jill Schupp (D) on the resignation of Eric Greitens (r) as Governor of Missouri (May 29, 2018)

Statement by Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker on the resignation of Eric Greitens (r) as Governor of Missouri (May 29, 2018)

Representative Stacey Newman (D) on the resignation of Eric Greitens (r) as Governor of Missouri (May 29, 2018)

State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D): about those legal bills for Eric Greitens (r) submitted to the state… (June 9, 2018)

In which Claire McCaskill (D) breaks off a piece of RSMo 610 and smacks Josh Hawley (r) upside the head with it

01 Friday Jun 2018

Posted by in Claire McCaskill, Missouri Governor, social media, US Senate

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“…listen, I’m a Mizzou educated lawyer, but I can keep up. [laughter] And I know what the word shall means in the law. Now I know he went to Yale, I think, or Harvard, one of those, one of those fancy ones. Um, I think they taught him the same thing, shall is shall…”

“…Any aggrieved person, taxpayer to, or citizen of, this state, or the attorney general or prosecuting attorney, may seek judicial enforcement of the requirements of sections 610.010 to 610.026. Suits to enforce sections 610.010 to 610.026 shall be brought in the circuit court for the county in which the public governmental body has its principal place of business…”

Or the Attorney General.

Title XXXIX CONDUCT OF PUBLIC BUSINESS
Chapter 610

610.027. Violations — remedies, procedure, penalty, purposeful violations — validity of actions by governing bodies in violation — governmental bodies may seek interpretation of law, attorney general to provide. — 1. The remedies provided by this section against public governmental bodies shall be in addition to those provided by any other provision of law. Any aggrieved person, taxpayer to, or citizen of, this state, or the attorney general or prosecuting attorney, may seek judicial enforcement of the requirements of sections 610.010 to 610.026. Suits to enforce sections 610.010 to 610.026 shall be brought in the circuit court for the county in which the public governmental body has its principal place of business. Upon service of a summons, petition, complaint, counterclaim, or cross-claim in a civil action brought to enforce the provisions of sections 610.010 to 610.026, the custodian of the public record that is the subject matter of such civil action shall not transfer custody, alter, destroy, or otherwise dispose of the public record sought to be inspected and examined, notwithstanding the applicability of an exemption pursuant to section 610.021 or the assertion that the requested record is not a public record until the court directs otherwise.
  2. Once a party seeking judicial enforcement of sections 610.010 to 610.026 demonstrates to the court that the body in question is subject to the requirements of sections 610.010 to 610.026 and has held a closed meeting, record or vote, the burden of persuasion shall be on the body and its members to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of sections 610.010 to 610.026.
  3. Upon a finding by a preponderance of the evidence that a public governmental body or a member of a public governmental body has knowingly violated sections 610.010 to 610.026, the public governmental body or the member shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount up to one thousand dollars. If the court finds that there is a knowing violation of sections 610.010 to 610.026, the court may order the payment by such body or member of all costs and reasonable attorney fees to any party successfully establishing a violation. The court shall determine the amount of the penalty by taking into account the size of the jurisdiction, the seriousness of the offense, and whether the public governmental body or member of a public governmental body has violated sections 610.010 to 610.026 previously.
  4. Upon a finding by a preponderance of the evidence that a public governmental body or a member of a public governmental body has purposely violated sections 610.010 to 610.026, the public governmental body or the member shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount up to five thousand dollars. If the court finds that there was a purposeful violation of sections 610.010 to 610.026, then the court shall order the payment by such body or member of all costs and reasonable attorney fees to any party successfully establishing such a violation. The court shall determine the amount of the penalty by taking into account the size of the jurisdiction, the seriousness of the offense, and whether the public governmental body or member of a public governmental body has violated sections 610.010 to 610.026 previously.
  5. Upon a finding by a preponderance of the evidence that a public governmental body has violated any provision of sections 610.010 to 610.026, a court shall void any action taken in violation of sections 610.010 to 610.026, if the court finds under the facts of the particular case that the public interest in the enforcement of the policy of sections 610.010 to 610.026 outweighs the public interest in sustaining the validity of the action taken in the closed meeting, record or vote. Suit for enforcement shall be brought within one year from which the violation is ascertainable and in no event shall it be brought later than two years after the violation. This subsection shall not apply to an action taken regarding the issuance of bonds or other evidence of indebtedness of a public governmental body if a public hearing, election or public sale has been held regarding the bonds or evidence of indebtedness.
  6. A public governmental body which is in doubt about the legality of closing a particular meeting, record or vote may bring suit at the expense of that public governmental body in the circuit court of the county of the public governmental body’s principal place of business to ascertain the propriety of any such action, or seek a formal opinion of the attorney general or an attorney for the governmental body.
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(L. 1982 H.B. 1253, A.L. 1987 S.B. 2, A.L. 1990 H.B. 1395 & 1448, A.L. 1998 H.B. 1095, A.L. 2004 S.B. 1020, et al.)

Attorney General Josh Hawley (r), also a candidate for the U.S. Senate, has appeared to be a reluctant participant in holding (now) former Governor Eric Greitens (r) accountable for his and his staff’s use of a self deleting texting application to conduct state business. A private attorney filed a lawsuit under the Missouri Sunshine Law (RsMO 610) to shed more light on this practice in the governor’s office.

Today it was revealed that twenty individuals (including Eric Greitens) in the governor’s office had the application on their phones, not eight as reported in Attorney General Josh Hawley’s earlier assertions. The Attorney General’s reticence on the subject became a social media bludgeon today, wielded by Senator Claire McCaskill (D).

Claire McCaskill @clairecmc
RsMO 610.027

Brooke Goren @BrookeGoren
This is what a real investigation into the governor looks like. cc: @HawleyMO #MOSen [….]

11:27 AM – 1 Jun 2018

Claire McCaskill @clairecmc
That statute SPECIFICALLY gives the Attorney General the right to bring suit but he refused and this private citizen is doing his job for him. Not good.
12:00 PM – 1 Jun 2018

Claire McCaskill @clairecmc
Totally bogus excuse that he couldn’t subpoena. He could have done exactly what this private attorney did and gotten the information he claims he couldn’t get.
12:01 PM – 1 Jun 2018

Claire McCaskill @clairecmc
That’s what happens when you don’t actually investigate. An investigation isn’t “they told us they didn’t do anything wrong” AG should have filed suit under 610.027 like the private lawyer who found this out today. Embarrassing that private atty has to do AG’s job. #ladders

Steve Kraske @stevekraske
Greitens and 19 staffers had secret texting app, far more than number reported to AG [….]

5:33 PM – 1 Jun 2018

Claire McCaskill @clairecmc
The subpoena excuse is close to the dog ate my homework. Totally bogus. Does the AG’s office expect people to believe that a private lawyer has more power than the Atty General? Embarrassing.
5:41 PM – 1 Jun 2018

That left more than a few marks. And it’s just the beginning of June.

Previously:

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) – town hall in Warrensburg – Press Q and A – August 17, 2017 (August 17, 2017)

He knew. We knew. They knew. Everyone knew.

01 Friday Jun 2018

Posted by in Missouri Governor

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Everyone knew what the choices were in 2016.

Attorney General Chris Koster (D), the party's nominee for Governor, speaking at a GOTV kickoff rally in Kansas City – October 29, 2016.

Attorney General Chris Koster (D), the party’s nominee for Governor, speaking at a GOTV kickoff rally in Kansas City – October 29, 2016.

Chris Koster, the 2016 Democratic Party nominee for Governor of Missouri, in Kansas City on October 29, 2016:

Chris Koster (D): ….and to try and bring this state together again. You know, government, government is a word we use as a synonym for cooperation. When they built that state capitol, a hundred years, down on the river in Jefferson City it was a building that was built so that we had a place to go and cooperate. Government is a synonym for cooperation. And when you’ve got a wing, one wing, part of the Republican party that has declared war on cooperation in this state, what path do any of us have forward? [voice: “No path.”] Our only path is to bring people together. [voices: “Right.”]

And I’m running against a gentleman who came out of nowhere about six months ago with this machine gun [laughter] firing into the distance and then this big explosion out in the distance. And, have you ever seen this commercial? The fireball goes up like thirty feet in the air. And all over the State of Missouri people ask me, ‘What’s that thing blowing up in the distance?’ And I tell them, ‘It’s the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, folks.’ [laughter, applause]

There’s no doubt that Missouri does want change. But the change that they want is not war on cooperation. The change that they want is not a my way or the highway attitude. The change they want is bringing people together. The change they want is real progress. The change they want is communication and cooperation between communities….

That explosion was Missouri. And Eric Greitens (r) had a lot of help.

Chris Koster (D) tried to tell us.

Previously:

It’s Resignation Day (June 1, 2018)

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – Michael Hafner

29 Tuesday May 2018

Posted by in campaign finance, Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, Missouri House, Missouri Senate

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The Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight charged with investigating Governor Eric Greitens (r) heard testimony from Michael Hafner, a political consultant who worked for the campaign early on.

Marshall Griffin @MarshallGReport
I’m summarizing this – not quoting – but @HafnerMO basically told the Mo. House Cmte that @EricGreitens, formerly a Democrat, had to be taught how to speak Republican. #moleg #greitensreport #greitensindictment
11:21 AM – 29 May 2018

Tony Messenger @tonymess
If Cole County prosecuting attorney Mark Richardson were listening to #GreitensImpeachment hearings today he would be hearing a lot of testimony about potential ethics violations surrounding formation of @EricGreitens campaign.
11:42 AM – 29 May 2018

My running comments on the testimony, via Twitter:

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – hearing live stream
The hearing has not started yet. Announcement: the Chair is meeting with the Speaker.

Michael Hafner – testifying before the committee
Chair asked if he stands by his previous testimony before the committee. “Yes.”

Michael Hafner – meeting in 2014, discussing Greitens running for statewide office. “We knew that he was planning on running for office in 2016.” “It seemed that his mind was made up on running.”

Michael Hafner – set up meeting of major donors in 2014. Greitens attended that meeting – @ March13, 2014.

Michael Hafner – meeting with another group of donors in March 2014. MH attended. Introductory for Greitens to influential donors.

Michael Hafner – e-mail looking for researcher for “inoculation file” on Greitens. To check for vulnerabilities.

Michael Hafner – meeting – researcher, demographer, media buyer, national pollster, others – presentations for EG “and his wife” – discussion of groundwork for campaign. Meeting at hotel of donor.

Michael Hafner – “I don’t know if they ‘comped’ the room.”

Michael Hafner – Agenda – to follow up to vendor meeting. EG was very interested in advancing the campaign.

Michael Hafner – statement that they helped EG draft as he was stepping down from the charity. Address story to Missouri Scout – maybe about EG having Democrat ties.

Michael Hafner – advice at the time to “have a very short statement” to address Missouri Scout post. Ended up being longer.

Michael Hafner – Being solicited by national Democrats to run – “I think that’s what Eric wanted people to believe.” Other way around – EG solicited national Democrats to get him to run.

Michael Hafner – January 2015 started getting paid – Greitens Group paid him – for political work.

Michael Hafner – A lot of discussion in Fall 2014 – MH and David Barklage suggested he start a committee numerous times for fundraising purposes. Asked MEC – EG was doing political.

Michael Hafner – MEC suggested EG open candidate committee. Greitens disregarded that.

Michael Hafner – Greitens wanted to use March 2015 book release as a launch for his campaign. “We advised him to open a committee [before that].” Greitens wanted to wait until after his book tour.

Michael Hafner – January 15, 2016. Two weeks before that MH started working for campaign. “Was your rate of pay more than $500 for those two weeks?” “Yes.”

Michael Hafner – Document to Laub and Bobeck – “to do” things – follow through – there were campaign contributions. “Had EG been soliciting campaign contribution before that?” “Yes.”

Michael Hafner – Exhibit 88 – E-mail. radio plan provided to EG in 2014 by other consultants. Plan to air ads on conservative radio for EG.

Michael Hafner – “It was my understanding that radio plan was to be coordinated to launch of book.”

Michael Hafner – EG certainly had the Democrat ties (citing Bob Holden). EG had to be educated as to “conservative” policies.

Michael Hafner – Question: “Didn’t the Greitens camp describe you as a disgruntled employee.” “Yes.”

Michael Hafner – “I am here because the governor and his team were untruthful to the MEC about the donor list.”

Michael Hafner – “[Even in] there was a hesitancy in 2015 to conduct inoculation research.”

Michael Hafner – December 12, 2014 e-mail – about conversation with MEC about EG having a continuing or candidate committee.

Michael Hafner – “It was our advice that EG open a committee if he was spending money on campaign activities.”

Michael Hafner – Question: “It is typical that you’re spending this amount of time on a candidate who’s not going to run.” “Not typical.”

Michael Hafner – Question: “You personally advised him to open a committee [in 2014].” “Yes, personally and in writing.”

Michael Hafner – If EG had told us at the time that he was running for governor we wouldn’t have spent the time because we didn’t think he should run for governor.

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – hearing live stream
Michael Hafner – Question: “What’s the purpose of a 501c(3)?” “To conceal the identity of donors.”

Well, he’s established his honesty.

Michael Hafner – “Foreign money was discussed and that money being contributed by foreign entities. [MH left campaign] I don’t know how far those discussions went. [after that].”

Michael Hafner – Contributor/bundler wanted to know if there avenues to contribute [non-profits or C(4)s] to the campaign without disclosing donors.

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – hearing live stream
Committee recesses until 12:45 p.m.

It does indeed look like the Missouri Ethics Commission has some work to do.

Previously:

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – transcript of witness deposition – cross examination (May 23, 2018)

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – transcript of witness deposition – on Koster and Greitens (May 22, 2018)

HR 2: Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – the process for impeachment (May 22, 2018)

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – Scott Faughn (May 23, 2018)

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – not going to allow “cherry picking” (May 25, 2018)

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – transcript of witness deposition – on Koster and Greitens

22 Tuesday May 2018

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, Missouri House, Missouri Senate

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The Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight charged with investigating Governor Eric Greitens (r) is reading transcripts of depositions into the record via live stream today. It’s been going on for hours.

The witnesses testimony before the grand jury was identical to the transcripts of her testimony before the committee.

The deposition transcript of the opening cross examination of the witness by Governor Greitens’ attorney(s) consists of their badgering the witness. It might make sense for a criminal trial, but makes them all look like a jerks.

And Greitens’ state funded (other) attorneys thought allowing them cross examination during the impeachment process would be a good thing?

Chris Koster (D) [2016 file photo]

The witness testified in a deposition that she cut the hair of both Chris Koster (D) and Eric Greitens (r) as her clients before the election. After the election, while she was cutting Chris Koster’s hair he told her in November of 2016 that he knew about her relationship with Greitens before the election.

Chris Koster didn’t use that information before the election. You think it would have changed the outcome?

Eric Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].

An observation from Jason Rosenbaum:

Jason Rosenbaum @jrosenbaum
FWIW: The woman told the House committee earlier this year that she cut Koster’s hair. I sensed from talking w/ Koster about Greitens that his disdain went beyond normal animosity that comes from combative nature of electoral politics.
[….]
3:32 PM – 22 May 2018

Previously:

אַ שאַנדע פֿאַר די גוים and *IOKIYAR (January 11, 2018)

Jefferson City: “Ah, the Eric Greitens bill” – SS SCS HB 1558

10 Thursday May 2018

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, Missouri House, Missouri Senate

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Someone in the House side gallery quipped as this bill was brought up, “Ah, the Eric Greitens bill.”

On a corner of E. Capitol Avenue and Madison Street.

Late this afternoon the House took up a bill on the subject of “private sexual images”, making the unauthorized distribution of those images by another party a class D felony. This practice is also known as “revenge porn”.

The bill, back from the Senate, was handled on the House floor by Representative Jim Neely (R):

Representative Jim Neely (R) – on the floor of the House – May 10, 2018.

Voting.

House Communications @MOHOUSECOMM
HB 1558 (Private Sexual Images) has been Truly Agreed and Finally Passed by #MOHouse by a vote of 138-0.
3:50 PM – 10 May 2018

With no dissent.

The House discussed and voted on an emergency clause for the bill which would make the bill law immediately upon signing by the governor (or after a period, without his signature and without his veto). The discussion was about if the passed bill would be forwarded to the governor immediately. The Speaker took to the floor of the House to answer that inquiry.

Representative Jon Carpenter (D) – on the floor of the House – May 10, 2018.

Speaker Todd Richardson – on the floor of the House – May 10, 2018.

The answer appeared to be that it would.

The emergency clause passed without dissent:

House Communications @MOHOUSECOMM
Emergency Clause for HB 1558 (Private Sexual Images) has been adopted by #MOHouse by a vote of 138-0.
3:56 PM – 10 May 2018

Doe anyone think Eric Greitens (r) will sign this bill when (or if he’s still governor) it reaches him?

Previously:

Jefferson City: it’s not working (May 8, 2018)

Jefferson City: well, that was interesting (May 8, 2018)

Jefferson City: “Carthago delenda est” – HCS SB 743 (May 9, 2018)

Jefferson City: hold that board open – HCS SS SCS SBS 603, 576 & 899 (May 10, 2018)

No, Chuck Raasch, nobody’s giving Eric Greitens’ scandals short shrift

22 Sunday Apr 2018

Posted by in Uncategorized

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The St. Louis Post-Dispatch‘s Washington correspondent, Chuck Raasch, occasionally indulges in the tired whinging about the Beltway’s (media) neglect of the good, solid folks in “flyover” country, a complaint we often hear, especially from Beltway journos intent on separating themselves from the herd by pretending to have a special line direct to the long-suffering, salt-of-the-earth folks hiding in the heartland (another tired designation for the center of the country). His latest complaint seems to be that, thanks to Eric Greitens, Missouri’s got an honest-to-god, big-time sex and corruption scandal and isn’t getting any credit for it:

For the record, on the day after a scathing legislative report on Greitens, one co-authored by five Republicans in which Republican Missouri House Speaker Todd Richardson labeled allegations against the Republican governor “very disturbing,” the Washington Post did not mention the report in its paper edition. It did, however, have four stories encompassing 140 column inches and five editorials or opinion columns on the resignation of House Speaker Paul Ryan.

For the record, the WaPo did report on latest in the Greitens brouhaha on the next day’s paper edition, just as they – and, as I can personally attest, numerous other national outlets – have reported regularly on the latest developments in the seemingly endless Greitens saga. (And shoudn’t Raasch be more interested in the digital version of the paper which likely has greater reach?)

If larger, coastal newspapers aren’t saturating their front pages with Greitens naughty behavior, as lamented by Raasch and Helaine Olen, whose WaPo article on the subject Raasch references, one of the reasons is that the practical considerations our Missouri scandal raises are probably of greater interest to the citizens of Missouri who will have to live with the consequences than it is to folks elsewhere. And who would expect anything else?

Of course, there’s also the fact that sex sandals are a dime a dozen lately. When the President of the United States is implicated in paying off porn actresses and Playboy models – and stands accused of eleven (or is it more?) instances of sexual assault, Greitens’ efforts seemed to be, at least until the most recent revelations of abusive behavior, essentially subpar.  Olen speculates that Greitens isn’t getting his due measure of shaming:

… partly because the Trump presidency is a news black hole, sucking up so much of our attention that almost nothing else can break through. But it’s also because the Trump administration, by ratcheting up the bounds of what is acceptable — at least to President Trump — is ensuring that actions that would normally shock all of us fly under the news radar.

As for Greitens’ alleged corruption – isn’t corruption the Republican way of life nowadays?

None of which is to say that newspapers have actually failed to report on the ever more salacious Greitens scandal. The issue is that bad behavior, that of both Greitens and Trump,  doesn’t seem to result in serious outrage, no matter how many folks are reading all the sordid details of life in the political fast lane.

Nor should we ignore the judgemental fingers pointed by various pundits over the past weeks. Ruth Marcus, also of The Washington Post, compared Greitens’ situation to that of the scandal-ridden EPA head, Scott Pruitt – three days before Olen lamented the lack of coverage and four days prior to Raach’s article. Like Olen, Marcus credits Trump’s Little of Circus of Horrors for the lack of consequences, declaring, “that Greitens and Pruitt remain in office, as of this writing, says something — not just about them, but about the degraded state of our politics.” Yep. And about Republicans too – don’t forget the prime enablers.

Finally, if Raasch wants Missouri to get credit for it’s own brand of sordid, he’ll definitely be gratified by the fact that Talking Points Memo has awarded Greitens one of its weekly Golden Duke awards. The Golden Duke, “named for former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham, is given to a political figure by TPM following an attention-grabbing display of corruption, abuse of power, or risible behavior.” TPM’s editor, Josh Marshall, after detailing Greitens’ offenses, asserts that he deserves the award, because of “his refusal to read the writing on the wall.” He adds:

It’s unclear if Greitens will change his mind and voluntarily step down, be impeached, or attempt to ride out the allegations. But it appears he’ll have to adjust his political ambitions; he will likely have little use for the ericgreitensforpresident.com domain name he registered.

One can only hope.

He doth protest too much, methinks…

20 Friday Apr 2018

Posted by in campaign finance, Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, Missouri House, Missouri Senate

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[….]
35. Witness 1 testified that Greitens then said, “You’re not going to mention my name. Don’t even mention my name to anybody at all, because if you do, I’m going to take these pictures, and I’m going to put them everywhere I can. They are going to be everywhere, and then everyone will know what a little whore you are.”39
[….]

[….]the Missouri Ethics Commission fined Governor Eric Greitens (r) and his campaign $1,000.00 for a campaign reporting violation. According to the Missouri Ethics Commission at some point [pdf] in early 2015 the Greitens campaign received a donor list which it did not initially report and which was used by someone in the campaign to contact potential donors.[….]

Eric Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].

From Eric Greitens (r):

Eric Greitens
[….]
Two months ago, a prosecutor brought a case against me.
She claimed she had evidence of a crime—but she’s produced none.
She said her investigator would find the truth. Instead, her investigator lied under oath and created false evidence.
She is wasting thousands and thousands of taxpayer dollars to do all of this.
Her original case is falling apart—so today, she’s brought a new one. By now, everyone knows what this is: this prosecutor will use any charge she can to smear me.
Thank goodness for the Constitution and our court system. In the United States of America, you’re innocent until proven guilty. In the United States of America, you get your day in court.
And when I have my day in court, I will clear my name. People will know the truth.
The latest charge is about my work at the Mission Continues. When I came home from Iraq after service as a Navy SEAL, I started the Mission Continues to help veterans. In the seven years I ran that organization, we helped thousands of veterans, won national awards for excellence, and became one of the finest veteran’s charities in the country.
Those were some of the best years of my life, and I am grateful every day for the chance to help the men and women I served with. I stand by that work.
I will have my day in court. I will clear my name. This prosecutor can come after me with everything she’s got, but as all faithful people know: in time comes the truth. And the time for truth is coming.

Keep talking.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: that’s a fine mess he’s gotten into (April 29, 2017)

The Report (April 11, 2018)

Seriously, just go away already… (April 20, 2018)

Seriously, just go away already…

20 Friday Apr 2018

Posted by in campaign finance, Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, Missouri House, Missouri Senate

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Kimberly Gardner [2016 file photo]

Eric Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].

Josh Hawley [2016 file photo].

Just breaking:

ABC 17 News @ABC17News
#BREAKING Governor charged again. Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner charged Governor Eric Greitens with Felony Tampering with Computer Data: Modifying or Destroying, Disclosing or Accessing for an incident that took place #abc17news-@DeborahABC17

April 20, 2018
Today, Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner charged Missouri Governor Eric Greitens with Felony Tampering with Computer Data: Modifying or Destroying, Disclosing or Accessing for an incident that took place on or about April 22, 2015 in the City of St. Louis.
Prosecutors found probable cause to believe that Governor Greitens violated Missouri State Statute 569.095 that was in place at the time of the incident. The law has a three-year statute of limitations
Given the Invasion of Privacy charges currently pending for the Governor, we will not be holding a press conference or providing any additional information other than what is in the probable cause statement.
If anyone has any information related to this matter, I encourage them to contact the Circuit Attorney’ Office immediately.

5:37 PM – 20 Apr 2018

Next…

From the Attorney General:

AG Hawley Releases Statement on New Charges Filed by St. Louis Circuit Attorney
Apr 20, 2018, 17:45 PM
Jefferson City, Mo. (April 20, 2018) – Attorney General Josh Hawley released the following statement regarding the newly filed charges against Governor Eric Greitens by St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner:
“St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner reviewed the evidence turned over to her by my office and determined that there is probable cause to file criminal charges against the Governor. The Office stands ready to assist the Circuit Attorney’s Office where appropriate and if needed. These are serious charges—and an important reminder that no one is above the law in Missouri. Like all criminal defendants, Governor Greitens is presumed innocent under the law until proven guilty.”

Next…

Previously:

Oh, my. (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 2 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 3 (January 11, 2018)

אַ שאַנדע פֿאַר די גוים and *IOKIYAR (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 4 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 5 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 6 (January 12, 2018)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r): not exactly a ringing endorsement (January 12, 2018)

Gov. Eric Greitens (r): piping (January 16, 2018)

Oh, my – part 7 (January 16, 2018)

Waiting… (January 19, 2018)

Oh, my – part 8 (January 29, 2018)

The unanswered question (February 8, 2017)

RSMo § 565.252 (February 22, 2018)

Well, you were the one who used a blindfold and tape. (February 22, 2018)

Well, he was the one who used a blindfold and tape. (February 23, 2018)

A few words of advice (February 26, 2018)

Eric Greitens (r) and the House – pass the popcorn (March 6, 2018)

Oh, my – part 9 (March 6, 2018)

“That’s not how you spell bare.” (March 7, 2018)

It’s their world, the rest of us only get to live in it (April 8, 2018)

The popcorn is ready (April 10, 2018)

The Report (April 11, 2018)

Call it what it is (April 11, 2018)

Go away, asshole. (April 12, 2018)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r-21): impeach Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Getting ironical about Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Standing ovation (April 14, 2018)

Quid pro quo (April 16, 2018)

It’s a fine mess he’s gotten himself into… (April 17, 2018)

Really, just go away… (April 17, 2018)

HR 6783: Impeachment (April 18, 2018)

Unhinged (April 19, 2019)

Really unhinged (April 19, 2018)

Eric Greitens (r) – April 2018 Quarterly Campaign Finance Report

16 Monday Apr 2018

Posted by in campaign finance, Missouri Governor

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We expected it wouldn’t be a particularly great campaign fundraising quarter, especially after January 11th.

Eric Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].

The April 2018 Quarterly Campaign Finance Reports are due today at the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Eric Greitens’ (r) report:

C151053: Greitens For Missouri
Committee Type: Candidate
Po Box 144
Jefferson City Mo 65102
Party Affiliation: Republican
Established Date: 02/24/2015
[….]
Information Reported On: 2018 – April Quarterly Report
Beginning Money on Hand $2,774,583.78
Monetary Receipts + $31,777.55
Monetary Expenditures – $261,590.97
Contributions Made – $1,000.00
Other Disbursements – $31,348.21
Subtotal ($262,161.63)
Ending Money On Hand $2,512,422.15

[emphasis added]

Not a particularly stellar quarter.

Some of the contributions:

13. TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $100 OR LESS $3,530.55

We don’t know when those came in.

Some of the itemized contributions (after January 11th):

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED – SUPPLEMENTAL
4/16/2018 Greitens For Missouri

William Busch 2000 Swift St. North Kansas City MO 64116 North Kansas CIty Dental — Dentist 1/30/2018 $2,000.00

John Ferguson 3988E Villa Way Springfield MO 65809 Retired — Retired 2/21/2018 $250.00

John Qualy 13 Brentmoor Park Clayton MO 63105 Retired — Retired 3/2/2018 $2,600.00

Beth Berra 3 Clayton Estates Dr St. Louis MO 63131 Community Wholesale Tire Dis Inc. — Owner 3/22/2018 $2,600.00

Phil Berra 3 Clayton Estates Dr St. Louis MO 63131 Community Wholesale Tire Dis Inc. — Owner 3/22/2018 $2,600.00

Michael Birkel 652 Trade Center Blvd Chesterfield MO 63005 MVB Contracting — Owner 3/22/2018 $2,600.00

Christopher Yelich 461 Locust St Laguna Beach CA 92651 Brooks Street — Owner 3/23/2018 $250.00

Michelle Carr 2429 S Edgewater Dr Springfield MO 65804 The Closet Co LLC — Owner 3/24/2018 $1,000.00

Carl Bolm 2340 Verna Ave Maryland Heights MO 63043 Investa Management LLC — Owner 3/27/2018 $2,600.00

Gabriella Bolm 2340 Verna Ave Maryland Heights MO 63043 Cedar Lake Cellars — VP 3/27/2018 $2,600.00

Bickel Gil 3 Glocca Mora Lane St. Louis MO 63124 Wells Fargo Advisors LLC — Financial Advisor 3/28/201 $1,300.00

Travis Liebig 5 Berkshire Drive St. Louis MO 63117 St. Louis Bank — CEO 3/30/2018 $2,000.00

Danielle Wilcox 10806 W 148th St Overland Park KS 66221 Revolve Managment Co LLC — Owner 3/30/2018 $2,000.00

Anna Cacioppo 9419 NE 91st Kansas City MO 64157 Industrial Salvage & Wrecking — Accountant 3/31/2018 $1,000.00

Charles Cacioppo 9604 NE 90th St Kansas City MO 64157 Industrial Salvage & Wrecking — VP 3/31/2018 $1,000.00

Not very many, but they are the writing a check equivalent of a standing ovation.

There are some interesting expenditures:

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION
ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES OVER $100 SUPPLEMENTAL FORM
4/16/2018 Greitens For Missouri

Jimmy Soni 301 Hicks St #3 Brooklyn NY 11201 2/16/2018 Communications Consultant $2,000.00

Jimmy Soni 301 Hicks St #3 Brooklyn NY 11201 2/23/2018 Communications Consultant $2,000.00

The Tarrance Group 201 North Union St Suite 410 Alexandria VA 22314 2/23/2018 Research $35,207.00

[That must have been a rough week.]

BK Strategies LLC 320 23rd St S#1003 Arlington VA 22202 3/16/2018 Research $20,083.00

Research, eh? Polling, eh?

Previously:

Oh, my. (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 2 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 3 (January 11, 2018)

אַ שאַנדע פֿאַר די גוים and *IOKIYAR (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 4 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 5 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 6 (January 12, 2018)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r): not exactly a ringing endorsement (January 12, 2018)

Gov. Eric Greitens (r): piping (January 16, 2018)

Oh, my – part 7 (January 16, 2018)

Waiting… (January 19, 2018)

Oh, my – part 8 (January 29, 2018)

The unanswered question (February 8, 2017)

RSMo § 565.252 (February 22, 2018)

Well, you were the one who used a blindfold and tape. (February 22, 2018)

Well, he was the one who used a blindfold and tape. (February 23, 2018)

A few words of advice (February 26, 2018)

Eric Greitens (r) and the House – pass the popcorn (March 6, 2018)

Oh, my – part 9 (March 6, 2018)

“That’s not how you spell bare.” (March 7, 2018)

It’s their world, the rest of us only get to live in it (April 8, 2018)

The popcorn is ready (April 10, 2018)

The Report (April 11, 2018)

Call it what it is (April 11, 2018)

Go away, asshole. (April 12, 2018)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r-21): impeach Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Getting ironical about Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Standing ovation (April 14, 2018)

Quid pro quo (April 16, 2017)