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Greitens charged with computer tampering


FILE -{ } (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
FILE - (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
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Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens was charged with felony tampering of computer data Friday afternoon by St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner.

Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley released the following statement:

“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."

Hawley had accused Greitens of criminal activity in after an investigation into the governor's charity, The Mission Continues.

Hawley said Tuesday his office has determined charitable resources were used for Gov. Eric Greitens's political gain. In March, Hawley had said he had issued multiple subpoenas relating to his investigation of The Mission Continues.

Hawley said his office has found evidence of computer tampering by Gov. Eric Greitens in obtaining a list of donors from the charity for his campaign benefit. Hawley said Greitens obtained a list of donors, used the list and transmitted the list without the donors' permission.

The probable cause statement filed reads below:

Ed Dowd, the Attorney for Eric Greitens released a statement responding to the charge:

This charge makes no sense at all.
Eric made the Mission Continues. He raised millions of dollars for it. That money helped thousands of veterans transform their lives. He dedicated years of his life to creating the organization, and he spent the earliest period working for no pay. It was an extraordinary act of public service.
Now he’s being accused of stealing an email list from an organization he built? Give me a break. Not only did he create this list donor by donor, friend by friend, but the Mission Continues still has the list.
The idea that this is a crime is absurd. How convenient that he's being charged just two days before the statute of limitations runs out on a so-called crime that's three years old.
The court will find Eric innocent of yet another absurd charge, and the people of Missouri will learn the true motives behind this action soon enough. This allegation is absurd, and Eric will be found innocent of this accusation in court.
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