Former Lincoln County undersheriff accused of using inmates for private work

(Shawnee-AP) -- A former Lincoln County undersheriff is once again accused of using jail inmates to do work on private property.<br/><br/>Embezzlement charges against former Undersheriff Ed Williamson

Thursday, July 1st 2004, 5:40 am

By: News On 6

(Shawnee-AP) -- A former Lincoln County undersheriff is once again accused of using jail inmates to do work on private property.

Embezzlement charges against former Undersheriff Ed Williamson were reinstated Wednesday by Pottawatomie County Associate District Judge John Gardner.

The charges were dismissed three weeks ago by a special judge, who ruled that Williamson's actions were no longer illegal under the state's embezzlement statute.

Payne County District Attorney Rob Hudson appealed the decision, and the charges were reinstated.

If convicted, Williamson could face up to 20 years in prison on each of the four counts of embezzlement by an officer.

His next scheduled court appearance is July 12th.