JEFFERSON CITY — Attorney General Eric Schmitt is returning campaign contributions he received more than two months ago from the owner of a controversial video gambling company and his wife.
Schmitt, a Republican running for U.S. Senate in 2022, received two $2,900 checks in June from Steven Miltenberger, owner of Wildwood-based Torch Electronics, and his spouse, Sondra Miltenberger.
Torch has been in court in recent months for allegedly operating thousands of illegal slot machines at gas stations across the state. The company also is suing the state, saying it is being unfairly harassed by the Missouri Highway Patrol.
The announcement that the money was being jettisoned came after the Post-Dispatch asked the attorney general’s office if the contribution could be considered a conflict of interest because of the state’s involvement in litigation against Miltenberger’s company.
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“There was no violation of office policy, but out of an abundance of caution, it’s my understanding that the donation is going to be returned,†Schmitt spokesman Chris Nuelle said Friday. “We will remain active in our vigorous defense of the state’s interest in this case.â€
A spokesman for Schmitt’s campaign confirmed the contributions have been returned.
Schmitt is among dozens of Missouri politicians who have received money connected to Miltenberger in recent years as unregulated slot machines have flooded the state.
He has directly contributed funds to Gov. Mike Parson, and the company gave a Parson-affiliated political action committee $10,000 in 2019. Torch also has contributed more than $90,000 to PACs affiliated with former House Speaker Steve Tilley, a powerful lobbyist and ally of Parson.
During the spring legislative session, Tilley actively worked to stop legislation that would have regulated and taxed legal video gambling terminals in trucks stops and fraternal organizations.
Supporters of the legalization effort say machines like Torch’s are siphoning money from education programs and veterans because players are not going to the state’s casinos, where profits are taxed and distributed to schools.
Legislation sponsored by Senate President Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, would have stripped businesses caught with illegal machines of their liquor and lottery licenses.
The legislation also would bar guilty establishments from participating in any future expansion of legal gambling.
In 2019, the Post-Dispatch reported there were at least 52 Torch machines licensed to operate in ºüÀêÊÓƵ.
Torch sued the state in February after the Missouri Highway Patrol began seizing machines as part of a crackdown on illegal gambling.
The company contends its devices are not illegal, even though people insert money to play them in hopes of winning a large jackpot.
Schmitt is running in a crowded field for the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate seat held by retiring Republican Roy Blunt.
Others in the GOP primary include U.S. Reps. Bill Long and Vicky Hartzler, former Gov. Eric Greitens and ºüÀêÊÓƵ attorney Mark McCloskey, who made national headlines last year for brandishing a gun when Black Lives Matter protesters marched near his home.
Democratic contenders include Marine veteran Lucas Kunce, former state Sen. Scott Sifton, ºüÀêÊÓƵ County startup owner Spencer Toder, Kansas City activist Tim Shepard and Air Force veteran Jewel Kelly.