A Central Texas elected official has been arrested on theft and abuse of office charges in an alleged dispute over maintenance equipment.
Madison County Commissioner Phillip Grisham told KBTX-TV that he's innocent.
Grisham was arrested Wednesday on one theft charge and two counts of abuse of official capacity. The theft and one abuse count are state jail felonies, punishable by up to two years imprisonment.
Grisham, who's free on $8,500 bond, says he let Madison County use some of his equipment -- at no charge. His tractor broke down in 2014, while being used by a county employee, the Commissioner claims. Grisham says he bought replacement parts, then sought reimbursement from the county.
The Texas Attorney General's Office, which is prosecuting, declined comment Thursday.
Madisonville is 85 miles northwest of Houston.
