An embattled Austin political consultant with longstanding ties to Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller rejoined Miller’s payroll just days after pleading guilty to a felony charge of commercial bribery.
According to Miller’s most recent campaign finance report filed with the Texas Ethics Commission, Miller’s campaign paid Todd M. Smith $1,500 on November 1, 2024, and an additional $1,500 on December 3, 2024.
On October 16, 2024, Smith pled guilty to a state jail felony charge of commercial bribery. Smith confessed to committing the criminal act and was ordered to serve two years of deferred adjudication community supervision, perform 80 hours of community service, and pay $10,000 in restitution to victims. As a condition of the plea agreement, Smith was also prohibited from registering as a lobbyist for one year.
Smith had been accused of being involved in a scheme where he was alleged to have illegally used his relationship with Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture to solicit tens of thousands of dollars from investors who were seeking hemp licenses from the Department.
Shortly after Smith was indicted, Miller told the Texas Tribune that he and Smith had parted ways. “Todd Smith and I have mutually agreed to terminate his association with my campaign effective immediately. My campaign and the [Texas Department of Agriculture] will cooperate fully with any agency involved in this matter so it can be resolved openly, fairly and judiciously,” Miller said.
Miller’s assertion that he had cut ties with Smith after the indictment proved false. Bonnie Cudlip, who once worked as Miller’s Executive Assistant at the Texas Department of Agriculture, told The Texas Voice last year that Smith had organized political events that Miller attended and that she and Smith routinely communicated about campaign and official Department business at Miller’s direction. E-mails obtained by The Texas Voice confirmed that Smith communicated with Miller and Department staff regarding various matters after his indictment.
Smith and Miller recently appeared together at an event hosted by the Robertson County Republican Party, standing next to each other in a photo. Earlier this week, Quorum Report reported that Smith had been hired to serve as Miller’s Chief of Staff at the Texas Department of Agriculture.
