Ex-sheriff's unemployment claim criticized

GRANBURY, Texas, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- A former sheriff who lost his re-election bid in Hood County, Texas, should not have said he was fired on an unemployment claim, an official says.

Texas Association of Counties spokeswoman Elna Christopher said former Hood County Sheriff Gene Mayo was ill-advised to have written lost election/fired on an application for unemployment benefits, the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram said Thursday.

"Our lawyers could not recall it happening," Christopher said "When you are elected, you are elected for a certain amount of time. That term ended."

Roger Deeds, who succeeded Mayo as Hood County sheriff following last year's primary, said he was surprised to have received the unemployment claim.

"I can't say it was something I was expecting," he told the Star-Telegram.

The newspaper said, according to the county's director of personnel, Mayo's application is currently being processed.