Was Publius in Acts 28 a wicked man or the governor of the island?
Publius was not depicted as a wicked man. Acts 28:7 calls him the chief man of the island, and the context explains he was the head official, probably the governor, who received Paul's group and lodged them courteously for three days.
Les explains that Acts 28:7 introduces Publius as the chief man of the island, not as a wicked person. The verse says he received Paul and his companions and lodged them three days courteously. Les calls him the head honcho and says he was probably the governor, the chief of that island. This occurs after Paul's shipwreck, when they ended up on Melita.
Acts 28:7
In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.