Associated Press - August 15, 2009 5:54 PM ET

PHOENIX (AP) - A former Apache County sheriff who pleaded guilty to a felony charge in 2007 and resigned from office has now been hired as an investigator for the county prosecutor.

Brian Hounshell pleaded guilty to a charge of soliciting the misuse of public funds and 10 other public corruption charges were dropped. He was placed on three years probation and ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution and perform 1,000 hours community service.

He was hired this week by Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting, who told the Arizona Republic that he was the best man for the job.

Whiting also has hired former deputy Hugh Lynch, who was convicted of perjury in the same case.

Retired Apache County Attorney's Office manager T.J. Bond called Hounshell's hiring "cronyism at its worst."

Hounshell declined to comment.

Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.