State Ag employees told police they were wary of Sid Miller’s political consultant. Now he’s the agency’s chief of staff.

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Just 10 months ago, Todd Smith was preparing to stand trial, accused of soliciting exorbitant fees in exchange for state hemp licenses. Smith was a top political consultant for Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, whose office provided the licenses.

Less than a week after prosecutors subpoenaed Miller to testify in Smith's trial set for October, Smith pleaded guilty to commercial bribery and accepted a deal offered by prosecutors that will dismiss the charges after two years if he follows the terms of his probation.

“Mr. Smith looks forward to the completion of this matter and moving forward with his life,” his lawyers told reporters at the time.

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