JEFFERSON CITY 鈥 A candidate for state auditor took in at least $15,000 in campaign contributions from individuals and groups tied to the state鈥檚 rapidly growing slot machine industry in the most recent fundraising quarter.
Rep. , R-Sunset Hills, received the money through political action committees linked to former House Speaker Steve Tilley, a powerful lobbyist who represents Torch Electronics, which is a leading slot machine distributor in the state.
The contributions come as Gregory and state Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick are in the early stages of a Republican primary race to fill the state auditor鈥檚 post in 2022.
People are also reading…
The current auditor, Democrat Nicole Galloway, is not seeking reelection.
Gregory, an attorney, has raised a total of $796,000 through his personal campaign account and a separate political action committee, through Sept. 30. Fitzpatrick, a businessman and former state lawmaker, has raised a total of $459,260, Missouri Ethics Commission records show.
Gregory鈥檚 money lead is partially due to him donating $250,000 of his own money to his campaign, as well as a separate $100,000 contribution from Joe Patterson, the executive director of the 狐狸视频 County Police Association.
But the filings also show the activity touched off by Torch in June when the Wildwood-based firm contributed nearly $210,000 into six political action committees tied to Tilley.
Of those six, three funneled contributions to Gregory. They include Conservative Leaders of Missouri, Missouri C PAC and Missouri Senior PAC.
Also contributing to Gregory were Tilley, his father, Everett Tilley, and Tom Robbins, a lobbyist who works for Tilley.
Tilley鈥檚 lobbying firm represents Torch, which owns machines that operate like slot machines in gas stations, liquor stores and other locations around the state.
The Missouri Gaming Commission says the machines are gambling devices, which are prohibited outside of licensed casinos. The state highway patrol also considers them illegal. Prosecutors in a handful of counties have taken legal action to stop the spread.
But legislative efforts to enact laws to regulate the games have not gained traction in recent years as Tilley has actively worked to derail a ban on the machines.
Campaign contributions from Torch have become controversial in some quarters.
In September, Attorney General Eric Schmitt returned two $2,900 checks he received from the owner of the company, Steven Miltenberger, and his wife.
Schmitt, who is running for U.S. Senate, returned the money 鈥渙ut of an abundance of caution鈥 because Torch is suing the state for harassment.
Gregory did not respond to a request for comment.
Fitzpatrick鈥檚 campaign declined to weigh in on the contributions.
Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, has received at least $28,000 from executives at a St. Joseph construction firm that contributed heavily to former Gov. Eric Greitens.
Top officials at Herzog Contracting Corp. each gave the maximum amount of $2,650 during the fundraising quarter, according to MEC reports.
The rail and construction company donated $650,000 directly to Greitens in 2016 after the Republican primary for governor.