This is one among many reasons why if a permit to carry is even imposed, it should be on a “shall issue” basis. Corruption and power are hopelessly entwined, and when you get someone like the sheriff in question who is easily corrupted, legitimate people unwilling or unable to bribe the corrupt official get screwed.
This is yet one more reason why states must never allow ‘may issue’ permits as opposed to ‘shall issue: it invites corruption.
A few years ago there was a case, which time does not allow me to dig for the link, of a NYC Police official who was indicted for trading CCW permit approvals to members and crew of rock bands for backstage access.
There was a sheriff in nearby Isleton, CA, that used to issue CCW permits to anyone who was qualified. I believe the CA legislature subsequently shut him down by requiring permits to only be issued to citizens in a particular sheriff’s jurisdiction.
Does anyone else around here remember this issue?