A video that’s been making the rounds on Facebook has sparked controversy and political tension in Sullivan County just weeks before the Republican primary for sheriff. The video alleges an improper relationship involving a Sullivan County undersheriff, a former deputy, and an inmate—and suggests a cover-up.
The footage, posted in the group Behind the Scenes of Sullivan County Politics, compiles surveillance clips and recorded video calls, painting a picture of alleged misconduct inside the Sheriff’s Office.
In speaking with Radio Catskill, Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff called the video “completely unfounded” and politically motivated. “This outrageous claim is being made without any evidence whatsoever,” he said.
Schiff’s campaign said in a Facebook post that the video was “obtained without authorization and is pieced together, out of context,” noting that the District Attorney’s Office had already reviewed the matter and determined it had no merit.
According to Schiff, the video omits key facts. In one clip, the undersheriff is seen handing a bottle of DayQuil to a former deputy in his truck—something Schiff says happened during the height of the pandemic when the woman, a longtime family friend, wasn’t feeling well. In another part, she’s seen on a video call with an inmate, but Schiff says she was no longer employed by the department at that time.
The campaign’s statement also criticized challenger Tim Dymond, accusing him of trying to sway voters with what Schiff described as a “wild conspiracy theory.”
The former deputy, Schiff said, had come forward on her own, reporting that she had developed feelings for an inmate. She resigned shortly after. An internal review found no evidence of contraband or sexual misconduct, Schiff added.
Dymond has publicly called for an investigation, but Schiff insists the DA’s office already looked into the matter. No charges have been filed, and there’s been no indication of a formal investigation.
-July 27, 2022 is when Michael Hiller was arrested. Deputy Michele Resnick was working at the jail during this time. Michele Resnick was already in a relationship with Hiller at this time.
-With Michele Resnick being ‘good friends’ with the undersheriff, was her relationship never spoken of? Did the Undersheriff just not know she was dating a drug dealer? Despite a long investigation by the NYSP involving undercover police?
-Why does the Undersheriff have a 30 year long friendship with a woman/deputy dating a drug dealer with enough fentanyl and crack to kill thousands of people?
-Hiller was arrested again on March 27, 2024 in possession of Resnick’s gun, and the undersheriff comforted her about this? Apparently ‘months’ before she resigned. What were the dates of her resignation and the video footage? Are there employment records to verify this?
-Why does Michele Resnick call the jail afterwards, blowing kisses to her drug dealing boyfriend that she was so distraught about? Did he not just ‘steal’ her gun and vehicle? The same man who is now serving 12 years in prison.
-Why was not Hiller not charged for stealing Resnick’s vehicle? Schiff states it was the resigned deputy’s vehicle.
-Why is the deputy entering the Undersheriffs truck while feeling sick and during the height of COVID? Was jail procedure during COVID to take Dayquil and carry on? Hanging out in cars together while feeling sick? Odd.
-Schiff states in response to the sexual acts between the inmate and the deputy in the jail saying “At the time the video was reviewed it showed no evidence to substantiate that claim.” So there is more video, we just don’t get to see it and apparently it was already ‘reviewed’.
Ironically this also confirms the deputy and inmate were in the jail together.
-If the District Attorney is aware, has a formal investigation taken place? Was it closed? Were any findings released to the public? Just “being aware” is not the same as investigating or clearing anyone of wrongdoing.
Why are we learning about this through a leaked video, rather than a press release or official transparency? If this was all above board, why the aggressive denials and political framing?
The sad thing here, with so many conflicts of interest here the county simply cant do a fair and unbiased internal investigation.
A third party needs to do it. That leaves these options:
-The FBI
-(DOJ) – Civil Rights Division
-The State Attorney General
-Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI)
-MEDIA OUTLETS FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS.