Ag Commissioner Sid Miller Ditches Consultant Indicted Over Alleged Bribes for Hemp Licenses
A top political consultant for the state’s agriculture commissioner was indicted Tuesday {January 18} on felony theft and bribery charges. Todd Smith, the consultant, was allegedly taking money in exchange for Texas hemp licenses.
Smith and others are accused of running a scheme in which they convinced farmers they needed to pay tens of thousands of dollars to obtain a license to grow hemp in the state.
Hemp was legalized federally in 2018. Texas followed suit the next year and the Department of Agriculture helped develop regulations for the hemp market. In reality, though, Texas hemp licenses only cost $100. Smith would allegedly tell the farmers they needed to pay $25,000 for a hemp survey, and spend $150,000 in payments to consultants and elected officials to get their licenses.
After handing down the indictment, Travis County District Attorney José Garza told The Texas Tribune: “We are holding accountable powerful actors who abuse the system and break the law. Our community needs to know that no one is above the law and will face justice.”
Read more: https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/ag-commissioner-ditches-consultant-indicted-for-soliciting-bribes-for-hemp-licenses-13255552