MONTICELLO — The Village of Monticello and Sullivan County District Attorney Brian Conaty are clashing over a recent change of jurisdiction.

Historically, towns and villages in Sullivan County (and across the state) take on minor infractions in their courts.

But District Attorney (DA) Conaty took back that authority on July 31 after he had concerns with the village.

“I indicated to them that I’m rescinding my delegation of authority,” Conaty said.

At its August 20 meeting, the Village Board of the Village of Monticello voted unanimously to adopt a resolution responding to those recent actions by Conaty and the DA’s office. 

According to the resolution, within the last 30 days the District Attorney “has taken over the authority for enforcing Code Violations as noticed by the Village Building Department as well as other matters before the Village Justice Court.” 

The board expressed concern that this action “deprives it [the village] of the ability to properly enforce both zoning laws, building code violations, [and] vehicle and traffic infractions.” 

Conaty said he finds the resolution “nonsensical.” 

“I find it concerning,” Conaty said. “I don’t know how they can say that me, as the chief prosecutor for the entire county, has integrity issues… my job is to prosecute crimes and offenses brought in our courts and do it fairly and justly.” 

One of the concerns that Conaty stated he had with the village is that they “enacted a constabulary” and hired an individual that is currently under indictment by the DA’s office. 

“This presents a major issue when prosecuting any case that he brings, because there are credibility issues,” Conaty said.

The resolution authorizes the Village Attorney, Michael Sussman, to “take whatever steps he deems appropriate to raise with the appropriate authorities in any Court the arrogation of authority, by the District Attorney of the role formerly played by Special Counsel and the Village Attorney.” 

Sussman could not be reached for comment before presstime.

The measure passed with unanimous support from Mayor Rochelle Massey and Trustees Gordon Jenkins, Theodore Hutchins, Janice Davis, and John Barbarite.