This letter is in response to the recent River Reporter article “Misconduct alleged in Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office," written by reporter Ruby Rayner-Haselkorn (Issue 7, February 13, 2025). As public information officer for the sheriff’s office, I have had a good working relationship with Ms. Rayner. When she contacted me by email on Friday to answer six questions related to this article I thought nothing of it. As you know, email does not always convey the context of the issues at hand. So, when I tried to call her to follow up, she blocked my calls and refused to answer my texts, which was totally out of character for her. Then, Saturday night, Ms. Rayner’s article gets published on the internet and I find out that I am the subject of a “hit” piece. 

The information being provided for this article is old news that goes back three to eight years. It has been previously examined and dealt with accordingly. The allegation by your newspaper that I ordered an accident report to be falsified is reckless and defamatory. I have reviewed the transcript of Chief Blake Muthig’s testimony, which is posted on your website, and confirmed that he never stated that I ordered an accident report to be falsified. Shame on you for saying so! The accident report was amended to add information that wasn’t previously included. The description of the accident listed in the  amended accident report matches the video of the accident that you have posted on your website. 

Next, I would like to address the Estrogen Mafia comments. I first became aware of the term “Estrogen Mafia” while on vacation in South Carolina in the mid-1990s. I observed a female softball team by that name. They had a banner that said “Estrogen Mafia, hear us roar!” The term is an acknowledgment of female empowerment and Estrogen Mafia T-shirts are available all over the internet. 

The recordings mentioned in your article were investigated by an outside law firm hired by the county and I was cleared of any wrongdoing. My response to the question about females being ignored was heavily edited and thus appears out of context. The last point I would like to make is that anyone can call a law enforcement agency like the FBI and make wild accusations. It doesn’t mean they will open a case. The federal Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FOIPA) request filed by Sullivan’s Legacy indicates there are no records regarding an investigation into misconduct at the Sheriff’s Office. 

I thought the River Reporter had long ended its practice of “gotcha” journalism. Apparently, I was wrong.

Eric Chaboty is the Sullivan County Undersheriff.

Editor's Note: This story was amended on February 16  to more accurately state that Chief Blake Muthig testified that an accident report was ordered to be changed to include information that was “incorrect.” 

___________

Story timeline:

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, allegations 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. The paper received a response to the questions from the sheriff’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 on the same day. The sheriff’s call went unanswered by the River Reporter. The River Reporter returned the call shortly thereafter, which went unanswered by the sheriff’s office.

The River Reporter confirmed via text with the sheriff’s office that the paper received the comments submitted via email and had returned the sheriff’s call. 

The sheriff’s office called the River Reporter 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 on the same day he sent it.

The process of gathering, writing, editing and publishing news at the River Reporter is designed to result in unbiased, factually accurate and objective reporting.

The River Reporter stands by the information reported in the article “Misconduct alleged in Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office.”