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Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller was subpoenaed to testify within the prison trial of one in all his former political consultants later this month.
Todd Smith, a prime aide for Miller, was indicted in 2022 on felony prices of theft and industrial bribery associated to taking cash in trade for state hemp licenses which might be issued by Miller’s workplace.
Smith was arrested in mid-2021, accused by legislation enforcement of taking $55,000 as a part of the scheme, based on an arrest warrant. Smith and others have been accused of soliciting as much as $150,000 to ensure an “exclusive” hemp license from the Texas Division of Agriculture. Smith allegedly stated $25,000 of that cash can be used for a survey that he stated was required to get a license in Texas. A hemp license from the state prices $100, based on the arrest warrant.
Miller couldn’t be instantly reached for remark. On the time of the indictment, Miller prompt it was politically motivated and stated he didn’t imagine Smith did something fallacious.
Miller is ordered to testify in a Travis County District Courtroom on Oct. 21.
He’s in his third time period because the agriculture commissioner after defeating Democratic challenger Susan Hays with robust assist throughout rural Texas in 2022. The commissioner is a vocal ally of former President Donald Trump and is rumored to be on his brief record to move the Agriculture Division if Trump wins in November.
Smith has a historical past of controversy over his conduct and ties to the Division of Agriculture.
In 2018, the Austin American-Statesman reported that Smith promised a San Antonio businessperson an appointment with the Division of Agriculture in trade for a $29,000 mortgage. And in 2016, Miller gave Smith’s spouse a newly created assistant commissioner place, one of many highest-paying roles within the division.
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On the time, Smith stated Miller employed his spouse instantly due to her expertise as a well being care guide to former congressmen Greg Laughlin and Joe Barton.
