Embattled Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens resigns amid sexual misconduct allegations, criminal probe

Update: 9:15 p.m. EDT, May 29, 2018: Missouri Lt. Gov. Mike Parson is replacing Gov. Eric Greitens when Greitens officially steps down from his post on Friday.

Parson issued a statement late Tuesday on the decision. “With Gov. Greitens’ decision to resign from office, he has put the best interests of out state and all Missourians at the forefront where they belong,” Parson said.

“This is a decision that will allow our state to heal and move forward from what has been a difficult time.”

Parson called the position of governor an “enormous responsibility” and said he’s ready to step in “to fulfill the duties of the office with honor and integrity.”

Greitens officially steps down at 5 p.m. Friday.

(Original story)

Embattled Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens has announced his resignation effective Friday amid allegations of sexual misconduct and criminal investigations against him.

"The last few months have been incredibly difficult for me, for my team, for my friends, and many, many people whom I love," Greitens said at a Tuesday afternoon press conference, claiming he was the victim of "legal harassment," according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"I have not broken any laws or commited any offense worthy of this treatment," he said.

Fellow Republican Lt. Gov. Mike Parson will take over and finish off Greitens' term, which runs until January 2021, according to the Kansas city Star.

Greitens' resignation follows testimony by a former campaign staffer to a Missouri House committee investigating the governor, and a court ruling Tuesday that Greitens must reveal information on campaign fundraising information, the Post reported.

A grand jury indicted Greitens in February after he threatened to release nude photos of a woman.

The indictment followed Greitens admission in January that he had an affair in 2015 with a hairdresser, according to news reports, and that he threatened to release a nude photo of the woman if she ever publicly admitted to the affair.

The grand jury determined that the Republican governor took the picture, which showed the woman blindfolded and bound, and that it was taken “in a place where a person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy.”

Greitens resignation also come amid an impeachment campaign and other criminal investigations against him.