POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Former Sheriff David L. Anthony, II, has sent a formal letter of apology to all Mason County, W.Va. officer holders, including the Mason County Commission.

During Thursday’s regular commission meeting, Commission President Rick Handley read the letter aloud so it could be recorded into the meeting’s official minutes. Handley said he had received a separate, personal letter from Anthony, requesting the letter be read at the commission meeting.

The letter reads as follows:

“I would like to take this time to apologize to the commission for my failures at serving the county as sheriff. I allowed problems in my personal life to affect my service to the citizens of Mason County causing much unneeded publicity for the county. Harmful publicity is something our county doesn’t need and I am truly sorry for that.

During my defense it was implied that other public officials were guilty of the same crime I was being accused of and this was absolutely false. There were no other county officials guilty of the same things as I was accused of and the audit clearly reflects that.

It was my bad choices in life that caused problems and no one else. It was wrong of me to accuse other officials of wrongdoing and I am truly sorry.”

Handley said the letter was received about a week and a half ago. County Administrator John Gerlach told Handley other office holders had received similar letters, though not the same letter. These office holders include Mason County Clerk, Mason County Circuit Clerk, Mason County Prosecuting Attorney, Mason County Assessor.

Anthony is currently serving an 18-month sentence in the Western Regional Jail in Barboursville. He was sentenced back in May in relation to a plea agreement he signed. Anthony pleaded guilty to the misdemeanors of brandishing a weapon and shooting near a dwelling, as well as no contest to misdemeanor counts of fraudulent scheme and embezzlement.