Missouri Governor Took Nude Photo Without Consent: Indictment

ST. LOUIS, MO — A grand jury in St. Louis indicted Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens Thursday on one count of felony invasion of privacy for allegedly taking a nude photo of a woman without her knowledge and consent in March 2015.

The governor admitted to having an extramarital affair in January after television station KMOV News 4 obtained an audio recording of a woman describing a sexual encounter with Greitens and saying that he tried to blackmail her. The report alleged Greitens blindfolded the woman and bound her with tape, then took a partially nude photo and threatened to release it unless she kept their relationship quiet.

At the time, Greitens was already exploring a run for state office, and he allegedly told the woman at least one other time that he couldn't be seen with her. The woman declined to speak with the media, but her ex-husband provided News 4 with additional information. He is the one who surreptitiously recorded her confessing intimate details of her affair with the governor. Greitens, he said, invited his wife over to his house soon after meeting her at a salon where she had cut the soon-to-be governor's hair.

The governor admitted the affair, calling it a "deeply personal mistake" in a joint statement with his wife, Sheena. He denied trying to blackmail his mistress.

But St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner said a grand jury had found probable cause that Gov. Greitens did take the photo, committing a felony as he transmitted it to a computer. The circuit attorney's office said Greitens was booked and released at the Justice Center in St. Louis Thursday afternoon. A judge gave him permission to travel, but the governor cancelled plans to go to Washington this weekend for a previously-scheduled meeting of the Republican Governors Association. Greitens also announced he will no longer serve on that group's executive committee.

The governor's attorney, Edward Dowd, said he would be filing a motion to dismiss the charges on the grounds that the governor's activity with the woman was consensual. “In forty years of public and private practice, I have never seen anything like this," he said. "The charges against my client are baseless and unfounded. My client is absolutely innocent."

If prosecutors can prove that Greitens took a nude photo and shared it without permission, he could face up to four years in prison. Whether the governor is removed from office will depend on if the Missouri House decides to start impeachment proceedings. Many Republican lawmakers in Jefferson City said they were shocked at the indictment, but that it was too early to comment on what happens next. Republican leaders announced they were putting together a group to investigate the charges and determine whether the governor can effectively lead the state as the felony case against him progresses.

Democrats were sharper in their assessments. "Right now, my thoughts are with the women and families whose lives are forever changed because of Eric Greitens' behavior and actions," said Senate Democratic leader Gina Walsh. "Too often, women in our state and nation are subject to intimidation, threats and even violence at the hands of those in power. No more. It's time our state takes a stand and ensures that women everywhere are able to seek the justice and equality they rightfully deserve."

Democratic state Sen. Jamilah Nasheed said Greitens has to go. “Missourians thought they voted for a person of character and integrity, and instead they got a liar and alleged criminal.”

Greitens was defiant, vowing to fight the charges and saying he has no intention of stepping down. “This will not for a moment deter me from doing the important work of the great people of Missouri,” he said in the statement.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

Photo: Gov. Eric Greitens and his wife, Sheena, in 2011. (Larry Busacca/Entertainment/Getty Images)