Report: FBI Opened Inquiry Into Missouri Governor After Blackmail Claims

The FBI has opened an inquiry into the Republican governor of Missouri, Eric Greitens, after a woman accused him of blackmailing her to keep quiet about an extramarital affair, CNN reports, citing two U.S. officials. The FBI has not publicly confirmed the existence of any inquiry, and James Bennett, Greitins’ lawyer, told CNN the governor “has not been contacted at any time by the FBI.” But a man who volunteered to work with Greitens’ transition team in late 2016 told CNN he was interviewed by the FBI in November 2017. The man, Eli Karabell, said only that he spoke with two FBI agents for about an hour. The report of an inquiry comes after the St. Louis circuit attorney's office announced last week it would be investigating Greitens’ conduct in light of the recent allegations. Earlier this month, Greitens was accused of taking a nude photo of a woman with whom he allegedly had an affair and threatening to release if if she went public. He has admitted to having an extramarital affair but denied the blackmail claims.