SC sheriffs notice colleagues behaving badly

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Greenville County Sheriff Steve Loftis says his fellow top lawmen across the state must be held to a higher standard.

Loftis made the point during his installation as president of the South Carolina Sheriff’s Association last month to make that point. He says he decided someone needed to talk about integrity, honesty and good character after yet another South Carolina sheriff found himself in trouble.

A half-dozen of the state’s 46 sheriffs have been in legal trouble or admitted to a serious moral failing since 2010.

Former sheriffs in Lee County and Saluda County were convicted of crimes. The sheriffs in Laurens County and Abbeville County admitted to cheating on their wives with employees. Prosecutors are reviewing the Charleston County sheriff slapping a handcuffed suspect, and Orangeburg County sued its late sheriff’s estate over $200,000 in missing public money.