District Attorney Conaty Denies Political Influence in Prosecution Decisions

By BRIAN P. CONATY

District Attorney Brian Conaty issued the following statement in response to the recent news podcast posted by WJFF Radio on October 25, 2025, suggesting that prosecutorial decisions by the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office were politically motivated:

“The very notion that I made decisions based on politics is completely false, irresponsible and reprehensible. Every decision this office makes is grounded in evidence, law, and our sworn duty to seek justice—nothing more and nothing less.

Politics has no place in prosecution, and it never will in this office. Our mission is simple: to enforce the law fairly, protect victims and confidential informants, and to hold offenders accountable. We do not answer to political parties, public pressure or personal interests. We answer only to the facts of a case, the law to be applied to those facts, and the people of Sullivan County.

It is for this reason that I was extremely disheartened to listen to the recent reporting of Brendan Lyons of the Albany Times Union media outlet while he spoke on the WJFF news podcast. During this interview, Lyons alleged that I deferred prosecution of a case as a cover up for political reasons.

That is completely and entirely false.

The mere suggestion that I would sacrifice the integrity of this office for the sanctity of someone else’s political campaign is incongruent with my beliefs, all of the actions I have taken thus far serving as Sullivan County District Attorney, and the truth.

The truth of the matter is this: I have never spoken to Brendan Lyons in my life, but it appears that he is engaging in the low politics of slander and innuendo without a factual basis or a credible source. This simply represents modern day click-bait, sensationalism, exaggeration, and historically, “yellow journalism,”—which is completely inconsistent with accurate and responsible reporting, truth and justice.

Responsible journalism requires balance and verification. Unfortunately, Mr. Lyons cares more about hurling wild and baseless accusations than the integrity of his work and his profession.

I want to reiterate and assure the public emphatically, I have never engaged in the conduct alleged by Mr. Lyons and never will as your District Attorney.
As such, I am exploring my legal options with respect to Mr. Lyons’ public comments and the posting of the WJFF podcast; however, in the interim I am demanding that WJFF rescind the aforementioned podcast as utterly baseless reporting.

Justice is not partisan. The men and women of this Office serve with professionalism and integrity every day. We remain focused on doing our jobs—protecting the community.

Brian P. Conaty is the district attorney in Sullivan County, NY.