Wells, other former Union County officials to be sentenced Tues.

Sentencing has been set in the case of five men in connection with government corruption in Union County.

Former Union County Sheriff Howard Wells, who became a national figure during the Susan Smith murder case, is among those to be sentenced. Wells pleaded guilty in January to lying to agents about money he loaned in exchange for interest he failed to report as taxable income and faces up to five years in prison.

Former county supervisor Donald Betenbaugh pleaded guilty to one count of extortion.

Former tax assessor Wille Randall and also Lapriest Beacham pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Randall also faces additional charges.

The sentencing will take place Tuesday September 21, 11 a.m., at the Russell Federal Building in Spartanburg.

The federal investigation began with officials in the City of Union. Former Union Mayor Bruce Morgan and former zoning administrator Jeffrey Lawson pleaded guilty to seeking bribes and plotting to take thousands in kickbacks from building contractors. They were sentenced to federal prison last year–Morgan to almost six years, and Lawson to 12 years.

Also up for sentencing, Willard Farr, who pleaded guilty to an extortion charge for helping Morgan and Lawson extort a kickback.