On The Local Edition, Radio Catskill discussed a River Reporter article detailing allegations against the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office. The article includes claims from two former officers accusing Sheriff Mike Schiff and Undersheriff Eric Chaboty of ordering a falsified accident report and fostering a hostile work environment.
Additionally, the article mentions an alleged FBI investigation into the department.
The controversy has drawn attention, particularly after retired police investigator Tim Dymond announced his candidacy for sheriff, challenging Schiff in the upcoming election. While Sheriff Schiff denies the allegations, some current employees have confirmed speaking with the FBI.
Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with Undersheriff Eric Chaboty for his response to these claims. We also discussed the fears within the Latino community regarding ICE raids.
The River Reporter waited 12 days between its initial request for comment from the Sheriff’s Office and publication, allowing ample time for a response. The first request was sent via email on January 26, stating that an article would be published regarding allegations of misconduct and a hostile work environment in the Sheriff’s Office that were first raised publicly at the Sullivan County Legislature. The email requested comments on each of the claims in the article. A follow-up email was sent requesting comment again on January 28. The article was held from that week’s publication cycle.
The River Reporter attempted to secure comment before publishing the story by reaching out via text message and received a response to the questions from the Sherrif’s Office by email on February 7 which was included in the published article.
After submitting written comments the Sheriff’s Office called the River Reporter the same day. The Sherrif’s call went unanswered by River Reporter. The River Reporter returned the call shortly after which went unanswered by the Sheriff’s Office.
The River Reporter confirmed via text with the Sherrif’s Office they received the comments submitted via email and had returned the Sheriff’s call. The Sherrif’s office called the River Reporter back the following day on February 8 which went unanswered by the River Reporter.
On February 8 the River Reporter published the article which included the comments submitted by the Sheriff’s Office.
The River Reporter received and acknowledged a Letter to the Editor sent by Undersheriff Chaboty the same day he sent it which will be printed in the next issue.
The process of gathering, writing, editing, and publishing news at the River Reporter is designed to result in unbiased, factually accurate, and objective reporting.
This River Reporter story has been updated from an earlier version to more accurately state Blake Muthig testified that an accident report was ordered to be changed to include information that is “incorrect.” The River Reporter is committed to transparency and delivering the most accurate information and apologizes to readers for any inconvenience.
Image by: Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office
I have known the Sheriff and Undersheriff for years and I have found them willing to be very fair.
UnderSherrif Chaboty.
Thank you for sharing the facts with the community.
Your reputation as well as our revered Sheriff Mike Schiff is stellar.
The mud slingers will not be successful
I know boatman and that’s outrageous. You have to understand that the department I don’t work for either one of them. I have an organization people for equal Justice women in the organization division in Sullivan county for over 30 years. Working with people all over the place. We learn to agree to disagree with the sheriff’s department and the police departments. But yet I have not seen these individuals ever be dirty in any way that people would say and it is nonsense The problem we always have is dirty politics. That’s what’s sad about this alls but remember we know who’s been in office but we will not know who will come in office. That makes it scary. So stick what we have
So if Drymond didn’t announce he was going to run, this scandal of a possible investigation would never have been brought out. Retired or not, an on-going investigation doesn’t get talked about yet this is the only thing a challenger has, what a way to run a campaign.
I’ve known Schiff & Chaboty for years with The Fire Police and have found them to be honest and upright people.
Chaboty never looked at the evidence, he “directed” them to change it from its corrected version. Then he hears it about proof and he did nothing….then it came out 2 yrs later. It’s been an issue for several years it’s finally made out to the public and he can’t hide it. What else is is hiding? Why are we focusing on one word instead of the big picture.
He still has yet to apologize for his estrogen Mafia comment. He just makes excuses. All the time.