Hill County sheriff accused of licensing irregularities

A North Texas sheriff, his chief deputy and two other deputies have been accused of tampering with records and computers after a state investigation of alleged licensing irregularities.

Hill County Sheriff Michael Cox, Chief Deputy Mark Wilson, Sheriff's Capt. Leroy and jailer Bryan Winget were all named in arrest warrants sworn out by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, which establishes and enforces Texas law enforcement standards.

All have been released on bond. Cox's attorney, Peter Schulte of Dallas, said the charges are "laughable" and result from the word of one disgruntled employee. All remain on the job.

Cox and Wilson are accused of coercing someone to take a licensing exam for Cox. Rodriguez is accused of record tampering, and he and Winget are accused of breaching computer security.