Cherokee County Republican Party Chairman Stephen Looney is facing felony theft charges stemming from his work with Adult Protective Services.

Looney is charged with tampering with government records with the intent to defraud or harm, and theft of property greater than $500 but less than $1,500 by a public servant. 

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Looney surrendered at the Cherokee County Jail in Rusk Monday, and he was released after posting 20 thousand dollars bond.

Cherokee County District Attorney Elmer Beckworth says the charges grew out of an investigation by the state Health and Human Services Commission. They are related to plumbing work that was done on Looney's private property when he was employed by Adult Protective Services.

Looney resigned from that position in December 2010, and now others in the Cherokee County GOP say Looney needs to resign the party chairmanship immediately.

Danny Morris, president of the Cherokee County Republican Club, says Looney has given them all a black eye, and “The longer he stays as chairman...the more damage we’re going to have in the eyes of the public.”

It's important to remember that under our laws, any person accused of a crime is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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