Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced that his Office has filed a petition of quo warranto to immediately remove Benton County Treasurer Richard Renno from office. Attorney General Bailey is asking the Court to issue a permanent order removing Renno from office and prohibiting him from exercising the powers of the treasurer’s role.

Attorney General Bailey’s petition lays out the allegations against Renno, including felony charges attempted enticement of a child and sexual misconduct with a minor under the age of 15. The petition also states that Renno has been violating his statutory obligation to be present in the office during business hours, as required under § 54.100, RSMo.

According to court filings, Renno used a dating application to engage in sexually explicit conversations and shared graphic images with an individual he believed to be an underage boy. The petition states that Renno continued the conversation even after the individual explicitly identified themselves as 14 years old and Renno expressed a sexual interest in minors. Bailey says these actions amount to a clear forfeiture of office under Missouri law. The Attorney General is authorized to bring a writ of quo warranto to remove any official who unlawfully holds office or forfeits it through willful neglect, misconduct, or abuse of duty.

Bailey took action because under Missouri law, the Benton County Commission has no authority to remove an elected county treasurer, and the Benton County Prosecutor holds a legal obligation to represent local officials.

“The people of Missouri expect their leaders to serve honorably,” concluded Attorney General Bailey. “There is no place in public service for child sex predators. We will continue to act decisively whenever an elected official abuses their power or abandons their post.”

Bailey reminds the public that the charges against Renno are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law. The full petition of quo warranto can read here.