GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Federal prosecutors said that former Union County Sheriff Howard Wells and four other people were charged in an indictment that was unsealed on Monday.

United States attorney W. Walter Wilkins said that the indictments stem from a corruption probe that has already sent former Union Mayor Bruce Morgan and former Union Building and Zoning Director Jeffrey Lawson to federal prison.

Wilkins said that Wells was charged with lying to federal investigators and witness tampering in a three-count indictment.

Wells is accused of making sizeable loans, which resulted in a significant amount of income for him from the interest. The indictment said that Wells then made false statements to FBI agents about concealing taxable income and documents that proved that. The indictment also said that Wells asked a person identified as J.G. to mislead investigators and to hide evidence.

Union County Supervisor Donald Betenbaugh and former Union County Tax Assessor Willie Randall Jr. were also named in a 40-count indictment. The indictment accused both men of conspiracy, extortion, soliciting and accepting bribes, money laundering, structuring financial transactions to evade federal reporting requirements and knowingly allowing the tax assessor’s office to be used a “stash house” for the storage and distribution of cocaine and hydrocodone.

"The big offense is using his title to extort money back from the purchaser of the building," Wilkins said. "Once that information came to light and it was being investigated by a grand jury, then he tried to obstruct the investigation."

Betenbaugh was also charged with 25 counts of witness tampering, lying to federal agents, misprision of a felony, obstruction of justice and illegally distributing Lorazepam.

Randall, along with Union County resident Lapriest Beacham, was also charged with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine.

Beacham was also charged last February with three additional counts of distributing cocaine.

Union County resident Willard Farr was charged with conspiracy to commit extortion, aiding and abetting Morgan and Lawson to extort money from contractors seeking to do business with the city of Union and lying to federal investigators.

"We deny all the allegations in the indictment and look forward to our day in court," said Greg Harris, Farr's attorney.

Wells, if convicted, faces a maximum of 45 years in prison and a $750,000 fine.

Betenbaugh faces a maximum of 618 years in prison and a $13 million fine, if convicted.

If convicted, Randall faces a maximum of 230 years in prison and fine of $7.25 million.

Beacham faces a maximum sentence of 100 years in prison and fine of $8 million, if convicted.

Farr, if convicted, faces a maximum of 45 years in prison and a $750,000.

All five men were expected to make an appearance in federal court in Greenville on Monday afternoon.