The 2018 prosecution of Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens played a pivotal role in his eventual resignation
. Now, questions about St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner's handling of the case jeopardize her career, even asGardner faces a hearing Monday before the Missouri Office of Disciplinary Counsel. She is accused in a 73-page report of
In the past 12 months, Greitens has emerged as a leading contender for the Republican nomination for one of Missouri's U.S. Senate seats, despite recentThe brash former Navy SEAL officer with presidential aspirations was a year into his first term when news broke in January 2018 of an affair three years earlier with his St. Louis hairdresser. The woman alleged that Greitens took a compromising photo and threatened to use it as blackmail if she spoke of their relationship.
Attention then turned to how Gardner and Tisaby handled the investigation. In 2019, Tisaby was indicted on six counts of perjury and one count of evidence tampering. Helast month to misdemeanor evidence tampering, and received a suspended sentence of one year of probation. Downey said any mistakes were unintentional, the result of Gardner's heavy workload during the Greitens investigation.
“I don’t think the ethics case against her is so clear cut,” Joy said. “This isn’t somebody falsifying evidence.” Gardner contends that her reforms have made the city safer, and the criminal justice system more equitable. She has expanded a diversion program and stopped prosecuting low-level marijuana possession, helping to significantly reduce jail overcrowding.