Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s lawyers recently withdrew from a suit filed against the state by Torch Electronics and Warrenton Oil. Wildwood-based Torch Electronics’ unregulated gaming machines operate in Warrenton Oil gas stations across the state.
Political action committees that have received contributions from Torch Electronics and Warrenton Oil have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to Liberty and Justice, a political action committee supporting Bailey. The committees have connections to Steve Tilley, a lobbyist for Torch Electronics and Warrenton Oil. In December, Warrenton Oil donated $1,000 directly to Bailey’s PAC, called Liberty and Justice.
Observers said due to the contributions to Bailey, the attorneys withdrew from the case over a real or potential conflict of interest. The case, which is pending, originated in 2021 when Torch Electronics and Warrenton Oil asked a Cole County judge to issue a stop order against the Missouri Highway Patrol, which had been seizing the gaming machines as part of a crackdown on illegal gambling.
