Sheriff Boyd Rasmussen violated county regulations and state law when he paid himself over $7,000 for duty in Elgin.

In The Observer’s May 2 edition, he says that he did not know he was violating the law. The man in charge of payroll for the sheriff’s office has no idea what the laws and regulations are. Is this competent leadership?

Rasmussen has known for a fair amount of time that he did break the law. What has he done? He gripes in the newspaper, but I see no evidence that he admits his error or has made any effort at repaying his illegal gains. Is this honest or ethical leadership?

I think Rasmussen leaves us all with some real questions about his ability to lead the sheriff’s office.

Marcus Lester

Summerville