Austin, Texas – A top political consultant for Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller was arrested on Thursday for allegedly taking cash and campaign donations in exchange for state licenses to grow hemp.

According to the Texas Standard, top conservative aide Todd Malcolm Smith has been charged in a scheme to solicit cash from potential investors in exchange for hemp licenses from the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Smith and his associate Keenan Lopez Williams, former regional campaign director for Donald Trump, allegedly lied to investors, telling them there would only be a handful of licenses available. They purportedly promised licenses to select individuals in exchange for at least $25,000 cash.

In fact, the Texas Department of Agriculture was encouraging investment and has given out over 1,000 licenses since 2019. That means Smith and Williams' buyers dished out thousands of dollars – for nothing!

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The victims of the alleged fraud were told the money would go toward a "hemp survey" or campaign contributions, but it was unclear which political candidates they were referring to.

Only two people actually gave the conmen any money. Smith received $55,000, while Williams took in $77,500.

Evidence seems to indicate that all the money went straight into Smith and Williams' personal bank accounts.

The two men were arrested on Thursday, and the Texas Rangers and Texas Department of Public Safety are now investigating the alleged "scheme to commit the offense of theft," according to Smith's arrest affidavit.

Smith was released on Friday on a $10,000 bail.

It is unclear whether Sid Miller or any other officials were involved in the con, but the investigation is ongoing.