Judge says Hawley can continue investigating Greitens

JEFFERSON CITY • A Cole County judge has doused an attempt by Gov. Eric Greitens' legal team to prevent Attorney General Josh Hawley from investigating him.

Circuit Judge Jon E. Beetem, in a ruling released Friday, denied a request for a restraining order by Greitens' legal team, saying he had no authority to put the brakes on an ongoing investigation by Hawley. Beetem also said he could not appoint a special prosecutor.

James Bennett, one of Greitens' attorneys, on Thursday argued that Hawley could not credibly investigate Greitens because of Hawley's U.S. Senate campaign and public statements that were critical of the scandal-plagued governor.

Greitens' team pointed to Missouri court rules which bar prosecutors from "making extrajudicial comments that have a substantial likelihood of heightening public condemnation of the accused" in criminal cases.

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