More Charges Against Upshur County Officials

GILMER (AP) – Some East Texas leaders already accused of abuse of power have been charged over alleged free legal service. Upshur County Sheriff Anthony Betterton and County Commissioner Lloyd Crabtree were charged Tuesday with gift to a public servant by someone in his jurisdiction. The two on Dec. 31 allegedly accepted free legal help after being indicted on official oppression charges. County Judge Dean Fowler was charged with conflict of interest/failure to file an affidavit. The Longview News-Journal reports Fowler had done legal work for a bank that also had county business. The official oppression charges came after a man was removed from a meeting for wearing duct tape over his mouth to protest a public comment ban. The ban was later lifted.