Eric Greitens Image by Rubenstein Public Relations

The woman at the center of Missouri governor Eric Greitens’ sex scandal has spoken publicly for the first time since news of the affair broke in January.

“I didn’t want this. I wasn’t out to get anyone,” the woman, who is identified only by her initials K.S., told Missouri station KSDK in an interview published Monday. “The second [Greitens] denied the things that were the most hurtful, the most difficult for me to now have to relive, I just realized now I have this decision. The only ethical thing I felt I could do was tell the truth.”

K.S’s ex-husband released a secret recording earlier this yera of her talking to him about her 2015 affair with Greitens, during which she says Greitens tried to blackmail her by tying her up in his basement and taking a nonconsensual nude photograph. Greitens allegedly threatened to release the picture should she disclose any information about their affair. Greitens admitted to the affair but denied any criminal misconduct.

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The woman, who was Greitens’ former hairdresser, apologized to the governor’s wife, Sheena. “I would absolutely apologize. I shouldn’t have been involved with him. I should not have gone into her home. I know that,” she told KSDK. In a January statement, Greitens and Sheena said they have “emerged stronger” following the affair.

The woman planned to testify in Greitens’ felony invasion-of-privacy case until charges were abruptly dropped last week by the St. Louis prosecutor’s office. She has already testified about her experiences to a state House committee.

As Greitens continues to refuse bipartisan calls to resign, another House committee held its first hearing of a special session focused on whether to impeach the governor, Fox News Kansas City reported. The special legislative session began Friday and can last for 30 days.

Contact Haley Cohen at [email protected]

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