ST. LOUIS - A new investigation finds Missouri Governor Eric Greitens and top staff members are using a secret texting app that almost instantly deletes messages, according to the Kansas City Star.
And it's raising some concerns with the state's top attorney.
The app in question is called Confide, and much like Snapchat, it deletes messages as soon as you read them.
It even stops you from taking a screenshot of it. The governor calls this a nothing story, but local law experts say it warrants concern.
"You have to sort of presume that what they're doing and texting about involves the people's business," said Gregory Magarian, professor of law at Washington University. "We have to be concerned. There are things we don't know about what those communications are, and what they're about. The governor is short-circuiting any effort that might be made to answer those questions."
Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley confirmed Monday, his office is reviewing the issue but it's a complex one.
"This is one of the difficulties we face with a sunshine law that was written decades and decades ago and has not been updated to take into account modern technology — so it is a challenge. In general, our impression is that text messages should be treated like and subject to the same analysis as emails," said Hawley.
Earlier Monday, Greitens dismissed questions about his use of the app.
"This is another nothing story that's come from a liberal media outlet that is just desperate for salacious headlines," said Greitens.
it's unclear whether this app was on personal devices or state-issued devices but Hawley says it doesn't necessarily matter.
Even information on the personal device of a state employee can be subject to open records requests. Under law, the Cole County prosecutor can step in or Hawley can even appoint a special prosecutor.
