Ulster County Officials say Hidden Camera Found Outside UCAT Building

KINGSTON, N.Y. — Ulster County officials say a camera found hidden in bushes outside the front entrance of the Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) building was recording without the knowledge or consent of UCAT employees.

According to a statement issued by County Executive Jen Metzger and leaders of the Ulster County Legislature, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office was notified Tuesday, Aug. 25, by UCAT leadership after the camera was discovered.

The statement says the device was subsequently confirmed to be the personal property of Ulster County Comptroller March Gallagher. County officials said they were not informed by Gallagher about the surveillance before the camera was discovered.

“Employees have a right to do their jobs without being secretly recorded,” the county officials said in the statement, adding that surveillance conducted without employees’ knowledge or consent is unacceptable.

Ulster County Comptroller March Gallagher said in a statement that the Comptroller’s Office has received multiple credible allegations of the falsification of time records by management at the county’s Area transit Department.

“The actions taken by the Comptroller were within the scope of our independent investigative and audit authority,” said Gallagher. “The County already operates 10 cameras at the UCAT building on a 24-hour basis. It’s unfortunate that this ongoing investigation has now been disclosed publicly. We urge any members of the community with additional information to contact the Comptroller’s Office.”

Officials said Gallagher has been informed of their concerns and that the Sheriff’s Office, County Personnel Department, County Attorney’s Office and Civil Service Employees Association union leadership have been briefed.

The statement from Ulster County was signed by Metzger, Legislature Chair Peter Criswell, Vice Chair Megan Sperry, Majority Leader Abe Uchitelle, Minority Leader Kevin Roberts and Deputy Majority Leader Aaron Levine.

The matter is under review by the County Attorney’s Office, according to the statement.

Radio Catskill reached out to the Ulster County Executive’s Office for comment. Amberly Jane Campbell, chief of communications for Ulster County, declined to comment until the County Attorney’s Office completes its findings.

Image: The Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) facility in Kingston, NY. (La Bella Associates)