An anonymous letter sent to multiple county and state offices alleges violations of Kentucky law related to vehicle inspections conducted by the Russell County Sheriff’s Office.
The letter alleges a violation of Kentucky Revised Statute 186A.115, which requires that an inspector “personally and physically inspect the vehicle.” It further alleges a possible agreement between the sheriff’s office and a local car dealership to perform vehicle inspections for the dealership’s locations across the state.
WJRS confirmed the letter was received by Commonwealth’s Attorney Matthew Leveridge. However, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said it is not aware of any investigation into the matter at this time.
According to the letter, the complaint was also submitted to the Russell County Judge Executive’s Office, the Russell County Clerk’s Office, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, and the Kentucky Motor Vehicle Commission. Judge Executive Randy Marcum said he was aware of the letter but that it had not been received by his office. The Attorney General’s Office and the Motor Vehicle Commission did not respond to requests for comment.
Sheriff Derek Polston told WJRS News the anonymous letter is “political” and an attempt to portray him and the sheriff’s office in a negative light. Polston said there is absolutely no agreement between the Russell County Sheriff’s Office and any car dealership regarding vehicle inspections.
Polston told WJRS that the sheriff’s office conducts vehicle inspections in the same manner as other sheriff’s offices, with inspections taking place both at the sheriff’s office and at other locations when necessary, including dealerships.
A representative from the dealership named in the letter also confirmed there is no agreement or contract in place with the sheriff’s office. The representative said the dealership conducts inspections in multiple counties, not just Russell County.
Records show the Russell County Sheriff’s Office conducted more than 3,300 vehicle inspections in 2025. Several months recorded higher-than-average totals, including 510 inspections in May, 674 in June, and 615 in July.
Some other counties have reported similar inspection numbers. Adair County reported 597 vehicle inspections in July.
The sheriff’s office has stated that inspection numbers typically increase during the summer months and decline during the winter. For comparison, the office reported 241 inspections in October and 206 in November.
Earlier this year, the state increased the fee for vehicle inspections from $5 to $15, with an additional $20 charge if an inspector travels to the location of the vehicle.