Former Top Sheriff’s Deputy Charged for Selling Inside Info on Gambling Probe

GREENVILLE, South Carolina — (Associated Press) - A former top sheriff's deputy in Greenville County faces criminal charges after prosecutors say he sold inside information on investigations in return for payoffs from an illegal gambling operator.

Multiple media reports say Brendan Shea Smith was in court Friday facing two misdemeanor counts of misconduct in office. Smith was fired in July. The 45-year-old former sheriff's major was released on a personal bond.

Prosecutors said Smith was paid in cash and other items to tip off convicted gambling den operator Izzat Khalil over five years ending in 2013.

Khalil turned on Smith and another fired Greenville County deputy to win a shorter federal prison sentence for running illegal gambling operations.

Smith had spent 20 years with the sheriff's office.