text: Just hours after Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens delivered his second State of the State address, he acknowledged that he was involved in an affair before he launched his campaign for governor in the fall of 2015. 
   
   Greitens and his wife, Sheena Greitens, issued joint statements late Wednesday through their lawyer after St. Louis television station KMOV-TV (Channel 4) reported on the matter. 
   
   KMOV featured an anonymous interview with the ex-husband of the St. Louis area woman allegedly involved. She was married at the time of the affair, as was Greitens. 
   
   “A few years ago, before Eric was elected governor, there was a time when he was unfaithful in our marriage,’’ Greitens’ statement said. “It was a deeply personal mistake.” 
   
   “Eric took responsibility, and we dealt with this honestly and privately,” the statement continued. “While we would have never wished for this pain in our marriage, or the pain that this has caused others, with God’s mercy, Sheena has forgiven and we have emerged stronger. 
   
   “We understand that there will be some people who will not forgive,’’ the statement concluded. “But for those who can find it in your heart, Eric asks for your forgiveness, and we are grateful for your love, your compassion and your prayers.” 
   
   In a separate note, Sheena Greitens added, “We have a loving marriage and an awesome family, anything beyond that is between us and God. I want the media and those who wish to peddle gossip to stay away from me and my children.” 
   
   The TV report included allegations that Greitens threatened to blackmail the woman, to keep the affair secret. His lawyer, James Bennett issued a statement late Wednesday disputing KMOV's account. 
   
   "The governor has now seen the TV report that ran tonight. The station declined to provide the tape or transcript in advance of running their story, which contained multiple false allegations," Bennett said. "The claim that this nearly three-year old story has generated or should generate law enforcement interest is completely false. There was no blackmail and that claim is false. This personal matter has been addressed by the Governor and Mrs. Greitens privately years ago when it happened. The outrageous claims of improper conduct regarding these almost three-year-ago events are false." 
   
   The matter could affect Greitens’ national aspirations, since his GOP campaign for governor in 2016 promoted, in part, his character and his belief in family values. 
   
   Follow Jo on Twitter: @jmannies ||||| A group of Missouri senators is asking the state attorney general to investigate allegations of blackmail against Republican Gov. Eric Greitens. 
   
   A group of Missouri senators is asking the state attorney general to investigate allegations of blackmail against Republican Gov. Eric Greitens. 
   
   Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens delivers the annual State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) 
   
   Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens delivers the annual State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) 
   
   Missouri Gov.-elect Eric Greitens, right, and his wife Sheena speak to the media as a member of their protection detail stands off to the side Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016, in St. Louis.(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) 
   
   Missouri Gov.-elect Eric Greitens, right, and his wife Sheena speak to the media as a member of their protection detail stands off to the side Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016, in St. Louis.(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) 
   
   Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens released a new statement about an affair he was involved in and allegations connected to that affair 
   
   Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens released a new statement about an affair he was involved in and allegations connected to that affair 
   
   Missouri Gov.-elect Eric Greitens, right, and his wife Sheena speak to the media as a member of their protection detail stands off to the side Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016, in St. Louis.(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) 
   
   Missouri Gov.-elect Eric Greitens, right, and his wife Sheena speak to the media as a member of their protection detail stands off to the side Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016, in St. Louis.(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) 
   
   he ex-husband of the woman who is alleged to have had an affair with Missouri Governor Eric Greitens has handed over more secret records to the local prosecutors and the FBI, his attorney Al Watkins told News 4 Tuesday. 
   
   he ex-husband of the woman who is alleged to have had an affair with Missouri Governor Eric Greitens has handed over more secret records to the local prosecutors and the FBI, his attorney Al Watkins told News 4 Tuesday. 
   
   Missouri Republican Gov. Eric Greitens made his first public appearance in nearly two weeks since acknowledging an extramarital affair, announcing a budget plan that would slice at least $68 million from public colleges and universities, but the budget wasn't the only thing discussed. 
   
   Missouri Republican Gov. Eric Greitens made his first public appearance in nearly two weeks since acknowledging an extramarital affair, announcing a budget plan that would slice at least $68 million from public colleges and universities, but the budget wasn't the only thing discussed. 
   
   Missouri Governor Eric Greitens takes a reporters question as he unveils the new state budget during a press conference at the State Capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri on January 22, 2018. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI 
   
   Missouri Governor Eric Greitens takes a reporters question as he unveils the new state budget during a press conference at the State Capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri on January 22, 2018. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI 
   
   Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens delivers the annual State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) 
   
   ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) -- Governor Eric Greitens on Wednesday night confirmed to News 4 he had an extramarital affair, an admission a months-long News 4 investigation prompted. 
   
   In a recording obtained by News 4, a woman says she had a sexual encounter with Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens and that he tried to blackmail her to keep the encounter quiet. 
   
   The details were provided to News 4 by the woman’s ex-husband, claiming the sexual relationship happened between his now ex-wife and Greitens in March 2015. News 4 is not naming the woman and she has not made an on-the-record comment about the story. 
   
   According to the ex-husband, the recording was made just days after Greitens’ and the woman’s first sexual encounter. And also that Greitens took a photograph during the encounter to use as “blackmail” according to the ex-husband. 
   
   During his campaign and while serving in his first year in office as Missouri’s Governor, Eric Greitens has billed himself a family man. During his campaign announcement, he stated: “I'm Eric Greitens, I'm a Navy SEAL, native Missourian and most importantly, a proud husband and father." 
   
   A contrast to the acts the woman accuses Greitens of committing on tape saying his actions were “horrible and disgusting.” 
   
   
   
   The ex-husband provided details to News 4 of what he claims was a sexual encounter between his now-ex-wife and Greitens back in March of 2015. News 4 has spoken to the woman's attorney who has stated: “No Comment.” 
   
   His now ex-wife wife didn't know he was recording their conversation as she confessed intimate details to him. 
   
   Recorded Conversation: 
   
   Ex-Husband: “Tell me the truth. The truth. Only the truth. 
   
   Woman: So, on Saturday morning, before my first client, I did go to his house. 
   
   Ex-Husband: For the first time? 
   
   Woman: For the first time. Ever. Like I said, nothing, period, had ever happened or taken place until this snowball. This (expletive) tornado just happened. I know I brought this on.” 
   
   The woman explains that her interactions with Greitens were sometimes initiated by herself. They met-because she cut his hair. 
   
   Woman: "I met Eric a year ago and I instantly had a big crush on him." 
   
   She said she felt drawn to talk to him. But when he told her, “I want you to come over" to his house, she first said no. She wanted to meet for coffee. 
   
   But Greitens said “I can't, I can't be seen with you. This is wrong." 
   
   Woman: "I said, I know. So he said. Just, please come to my house." 
   
   She stated she agreed to go to his house to "talk." It's unclear where Greitens' wife or children were at this time. 
   
   The woman said that when the sexual encounter began that Saturday and said it was consensual. 
   
   Woman: "He said: "I'll make you feel better. I'll make you feel good. Come downstairs. I want to show you how to do a proper pull-up. And I knew he was being sexual and I still let him. And he used some sort of tape, I don't what it was, and taped my hands to these rings and then put a blindfold on me.” 
   
   She went on to say that some of his actions-scared her. 
   
   Woman: "I didn't even know. I feel like I don't even know. I was just numb. I just stood there and didn't (expletive) know." 
   
   She went on, describing what Greitens allegedly did next that made her feel sick. 
   
   Woman: “He stepped back, I saw a flash through the blindfold and he said: "you're never going to mention my name, otherwise there will be pictures of me everywhere." 
   
   Her now ex-husband said that statement upset him. 
   
   “He took a picture of my wife naked as blackmail. There is no worse person,” the ex-husband told News 4. And that is still what upsets him. He told News 4, “I think it's as bad as it gets, It’s as bad as it gets when someone takes advantage of something.” 
   
   In the recorded phone conversation, the woman takes on some of the blame and says that Greitens apologized after the encounter-and told her he had deleted the picture. 
   
   She claims they had at least one more physical interaction later that day. 
   
   After the tearful confession, the man and his wife tried reconciling, but according to the man, Greitens was still in her life. 
   
   In October 2015, the woman allegedly sent an email to a Gmail account she told her husband she had previously used to get in touch with Greitens. 
   
   It stated "Eric, I am asking you to please consider all who are involved and the circumstances around us. I need you to not book at the salon anymore. This isn't fair to me, nor anyone close to us. Please respect me and my wishes." 
   
   As for the motivation of the ex-husband in speaking on-camera, he told News 4 “I am not after anything, I am not a part of politics, I am not a part of anything, I just want to move on with my life.” 
   
   The man says he didn't want to speak out before, but says recently, he's been contacted by law enforcement authorities and members of the media. He says he wanted to get in front of a story he believed would come out eventually and he wants to protect his family. 
   
   “Something happened, churned this, and had people hounding me, even leaving a voicemail on my daughter's phone - when that happened, everything changed,” said the ex-husband. 
   
   The ex-husband’s attorney, Al Watkins confirms, he too has been in contact repeatedly with law enforcement agencies about this. 
   
   “My knowledge and my experience leads me to believe that at least, there is an elevated degree of interest in what is going on,” said Watkins. 
   
   The man and his wife sought a divorce in March of 2016. 
   
   By Election Day in November 2016, he was on social media, calling Greitens-a quote "homewrecker." 
   
   He told News 4, “this didn't just destroy our marriage, it destroyed an environment, an ecosystem, this destroyed it all.” 
   
   On Thursday, James Bennett, an attorney for Gov. Greitens released the following statement: 
   
   "We have been asked repeatedly by reputable news outlets why we believe this nearly three-year-old news story is coming out now. The latest reporting has finally disclosed that the reporting was being driven by a "source" who is the former Democrat state party chairman and who apparently has not spoken to the person in question. This goes a long way to explaining what is going on - this is a political hit piece. This is and remains an almost three-year-old private matter with no matter of public interest at stake. Eric and Sheena have worked through those issues long ago and I think that Sheena put it best: 'We have a loving marriage and an awesome family; anything beyond that is between us and God. I want the media and those who wish to peddle gossip to stay away from me and my children.' Now we know who has been peddling that gossip." 
   
   
   
   Late Wednesday, Bennett released the following statement: 
   
   "The governor has now seen the TV report that ran tonight. The station declined to provide the tape or transcript in advance of running their story, which contained multiple false allegations. The claim that this nearly three-year old story has generated or should generate law enforcement interest is completely false. There was no blackmail and that claim is false. This personal matter has been addressed by the Governor and Mrs. Greitens privately years ago when it happened. The outrageous claims of improper conduct regarding these almost three-year-ago events are false." 
   
   When questioned by News 4, Greitens did not address the issue of the photograph but the Governor and his wife did release the following statement: 
   
   "A few years ago, before Eric was elected Governor, there was a time when he was unfaithful in our marriage. This was a deeply personal mistake. Eric took responsibility, and we dealt with this together honestly and privately. While we never would have wished for this pain in our marriage, or the pain that this has caused others, with God’s mercy Sheena has forgiven and we have emerged stronger. We understand that there will be some people who cannot forgive – but for those who can find it in your heart, Eric asks for your forgiveness, and we are grateful for your love, your compassion, and your prayers." 
   
   Sheena Greitens added: 
   
   "We have a loving marriage and an awesome family; anything beyond that is between us and God. I want the media and those who wish to peddle gossip to stay away from me and my children." 
   
   Copyright 2018 KMOV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved. ||||| JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens acknowledges he was "unfaithful" in his marriage but denies allegations that he blackmailed the woman he had an extramarital affair with to stay quiet. 
   
   The Republican governor and his wife released a statement Wednesday night. It came after St. Louis television station KMOV reported that Greitens had a sexual relationship with his former hairdresser in 2015. The station reported that the woman's ex-husband alleged Greitens photographed her nude and threatened to publicize the images if she spoke about the affair. 
   
   The woman allegedly involved did not comment on the record to the station, which released its report late Wednesday after Greitens gave his State of the State speech. But her ex-husband provided a recording of her detailing a sexual encounter with Greitens and saying Greitens told her the photos would be released if she exposed the affair. She did not know she was being recorded. 
   
   Greitens' statement with his wife, Sheena, didn't address the affair specifically or the allegations, but in a separate statement Greitens' attorney, Jim Bennett, said, "There was no blackmail and that claim is false."
target: – Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens acknowledges he was "unfaithful" in his marriage but denies allegations that he blackmailed the woman he had an affair with to stay quiet, the AP reports. The Republican governor and his wife, Sheena, released a joint statement Wednesday night after KMOV reported that Greitens had a sexual relationship with his former hairdresser in 2015. The station reported that the woman's ex-husband alleged Greitens photographed her nude and threatened to publicize the images if she spoke about the affair. "A few years ago, before Eric was elected governor, there was a time when he was unfaithful in our marriage," the Greitens' statement said. "It was a deeply personal mistake." The woman allegedly involved did not comment on the record to KMOV, which released its report late Wednesday after Greitens gave his State of the State speech. But her ex-husband, who divorced her in 2016, provided a recording of her detailing a sexual encounter with Greitens and saying Greitens told her the photos would be released if she exposed the affair. She did not know she was being recorded. Greitens' statement with his wife didn't address the affair specifically or the allegations, but in a separate statement, Greitens' attorney, Jim Bennett, said, "There was no blackmail and that claim is false." St. Louis Public Radio notes that the news could damage Greitens' higher political aspirations, especially since his 2016 campaign focused on character and family values.