Missouri to get new leader as scandal-plagued governor quits

By David A. Lieb Associated Press

Friday, June 1, 2018 12:05 AM

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) Missouri is getting a new leader as its scandal-plagued governor steps down, elevating the lieutenant governor to the top job.

Republican Gov. Eric Greitens has said he will resign at 5 p.m. Friday.

Republican Lt. Gov. Mike Parson is to be sworn in shortly thereafter during a low-key ceremony in the governor's office.

Greitens' resignation is part of a deal with the St. Louis prosecutor to drop a felony charge alleging misuse of a charity donor list to raise money for his gubernatorial campaign.

Greitens also had faced the prospect of legislative impeachment. And he still faces the potential for a special prosecutor to refile a charge alleging sexual misconduct in an extramarital affair.

Parson will serve the remainder of Greitens' term, which runs until 2021.

Missouri to get new leader as scandal-plagued governor quits

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens leaves the podium after announcing his resignation in the governor's office, Tuesday, May 29, 2018, in Jefferson City, Mo. Greitens resigned amid a widening investigation that arose from an affair with his former hairdresser. He said his resignation would take effect Friday.(Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

The Associated Press

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens leaves the podium after announcing his resignation at a news conference, Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at the state Capitol, in Jefferson City, Mo. Greitens resigned amid a widening investigation that arose from an affair with his former hairdresser. Greitens said his resignation would take effect Friday. (Julie Smith/The Jefferson City News-Tribune via AP)

The Associated Press

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens reads from a prepared statement as he announces his resignation during a news conference, Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at the state Capitol, in Jefferson City, Mo. Greitens resigned amid a widening investigation that arose from an affair with his former hairdresser. Greitens said his resignation would take effect Friday. (Julie Smith/The Jefferson City News-Tribune via AP)

The Associated Press

FILE - In this Aug. 17, 2017, file photo, Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, left, talks to Lt. Gov. Mike Parson during the Governor's Ham Breakfast at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, Mo. Greitens abruptly announced his resignation Tuesday, May 29, 2018, after a scandal involving an affair with his former hairdresser led to a broader investigation by prosecutors and state legislators. The resignation takes effect Friday. His departure elevates fellow Republican Parson to the governor's office. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

The Associated Press

Missouri Lt. Gov. Mike Parson, second from left, greets Sen. Shalonn "Kiki" Curls, left, Senate Minority Leader Gina Walsh and former senator and Public Service Commission member Ryan Silvey, right, in his office, Wednesday, May 30, 2018, in Jefferson City, Mo. Parson will automatically ascend from lieutenant governor to governor on Friday when Gov. Eric Greitens steps down following investigations of his political and personal life. (David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

The Associated Press