Sullivan Human Rights Director Raises Discrimination Allegations, Seeks Investigative Authority

The Sullivan County Human Rights Commission has reported numerous allegations of racial discrimination and harassment during its annual report to the county legislature.

In the last two months, Human Rights Commission’s (HRC) executive director, Ramone Wilson, said he’s received 17 new cases related to alleged racial discrimination and discriminatory treatment. The Monticello and Liberty school districts, New York State Police, and the Monticello Police Department were among the institutions named in the allegations.

Wilson told county legislators during an April 23 Sullivan County executive committee meeting that housing is the top issue facing residents.

“Housing stability remains the most significant area of vulnerability, including seven matters centered on landlord-tenant retaliation. We also saw [five] significant filings involving racial discrimination and five complaints of harassment,” said Wilson at the meeting.

HRC processed 9 confirmed cases escalated to the state’s Division of Human Rights, 5 successful mediations, 14 dismissed cases, and 4 pending review cases in 2025.

The county’s commission was established in 2005, but 2025 marked the first year Sullivan County hired a full-time executive director to oversee the office.

But Wilson said that the commission is limited in what they can do without investigative authority – the legal power to fully investigate allegations and extend punitive action. HRC can only escalate cases to New York State Division of Human Rights to further investigate, a major bottleneck that can leave cases in limbo for years.

“We do have a huge elderly population of people who unfortunately, I mean nobody for that matter, has the ability to wait two or three years,” said Wilson.

Human rights cases stuck in limbo

Wilson says all complaints that come to HRC are time-sensitive. The process for reviewing a case starts with meeting with the complainant to understand and document the issue.

The commission then determines whether it falls within their jurisdiction. The office meets with both parties, reviews the issue with its nine-member board, and makes a determination: a state referral, mediation, dismissal, or further investigation.

But Wilson, who’s the only staff member on the commission, says not having investigative authority to handle more complex issues is restrictive. “If you’re gonna have a human rights commission, you certainly, in my opinion, need the authority to investigate some of the serious allegations that come forward.”

The county legislature would have to pass a local resolution supporting the commission’s ability to have investigate authority, he says.

For now, Wilson is looking forward to continuing working with local agencies and county officials to protect residents’ civil rights. He says the commission will continue to be a place for residents to come forward and be heard.

Image: Exterior of Sullivan County Government Center building in Monticello, New York (Photo Credit: Kimberly Izar)