Former aide to Sid Miller pleads guilty to corruption

Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to date on the most essential Texas news.

A former top aide to Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller pleaded guilty Wednesday to a felony charge related to taking money in exchange for state hemp licenses issued by Miller’s office, according to Travis County court records.

Todd Smith, a former political consultant close to Miller, pleaded guilty to commercial bribery but not to a second theft charge, his lawyers said.

“Once Mr. Smith completes a two-year deferred adjudication term, the commercial bribery case will be closed,” Sam Bassett and Perry Minton said. “Mr. Smith looks forward to the conclusion of this matter and moving on with his life.

The plea deal means Smith avoids a jury trial scheduled for later this month, in which Miller has been subpoenaed to testify. Sentencing is scheduled for November 15.

Travis County Prosecutor Jose Garza declined to comment.

Smith was arrested in mid-2021, accused by law enforcement of taking $55,000 in the scheme, according to an arrest warrant. Smith and others were accused of soliciting up to $150,000 to secure an “exclusive” hemp license from the Texas Department of Agriculture. Smith reportedly said $25,000 of that money would be used for an investigation that he said was necessary to obtain a license in Texas. A state-issued hemp license costs $100, according to the arrest warrant.

At the time of the indictment, Miller suggested it was politically motivated and said he did not believe Smith had done anything wrong.

Smith has a history of controversy over his conduct and ties to the Department of Agriculture under Miller’s leadership as commissioner.

In 2018, the Austin American-Statesman reported that Smith promised a San Antonio businessman a meeting with the Department of Agriculture in exchange for a $29,000 loan. And in 2016, Miller gave Smith’s wife a new job as deputy commissioner, one of the highest-paying positions in the department.

At the time, Smith said Miller hired his wife directly because of her experience as a health care consultant to former Congressmen Greg Laughlin and Joe Barton.