Missouri Governor Eric Greitens, in preparation for the launch of his first bid for public office, used the email address of a veteran charity that he founded to organize political meetings. This action is in spite of a federal ban on nonprofit organizations taking part in political campaigns.
The Emails
Greitens, who at the time was on the board of directors of The Mission Continues sent political meeting invitations from this charity’s email address to three political consultants – Danny Laub, Steve Michael, and Michael Hafner. In the email, he asked them to join him for a number of meetings over two days in January 2015 with an anti-abortion activist, a lobbyist and over a dozen state lawmakers. The emails also show that the meetings were held at the Jefferson City offices of two Republican consultant firms just a few months before the governor officially created a candidate exploratory committee. The attendees of these meetings told the AP that the main subject of discussion was Greitens’ future candidacy.
According to federal tax law 501(c) (3), charities such as The Mission Continues are prohibited from participating in any political campaign in support of a candidate for public office. The penalties for this offense range up to the loss of the charity’s tax-exempt status. The legal consequences for the charity directors individually are unclear.
Investigations into the Allegations
Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley reaffirmed through a spokesperson on Thursday that the office is conducting an open investigation into the charitable activities of The Mission Continues. This office has the power to enforce charitable reporting laws and consumer protection laws. It was not clarified as to when the inquiry commenced. Hawley, with the support of many Republicans, is running for US Senate.
Greitens is also facing an ongoing inquiry by the St. Louis prosecutor’s office following a grand jury indicting him on a felony invasion-of-privacy charge last week. The charge alleges the governor in March 2015 took a nonconsensual photograph of a partially nude woman who he was having an affair with.
On Thursday, two law firms confirmed that they have been asked to represent some of Greitens’ staff members who have received subpoenas from a grand jury. On that day also the Missouri House also voted on proceeding with its investigation into the governor that could determine whether to impeach him and try to remove him from office. Investigations into Greitens’ involvement in The Mission Continues charity into his political endeavors continue.
