The Monroe County Ethics Board has issued an opinion that Sheriff Todd Baxter violated the ethics code when he appeared in a TV ad for a car dealer that was recorded last year.
The board says his name on the screen "could lead a reasonable person to conclude that the Sheriff was lending his public persona, popularity or position in support" of the business.
Baxter was not in uniform and was not paid for the appearance.
In a statement, he points out that the board said he did not intend to violate the ethics code and did not know that the appearance could give rise to a violation.
The report says prior intent or knowledge does not preclude a finding of a violation.
He says he takes the assertion seriously.
He says he won't do it again, and the board says it is confident that he will stand by that commitment.