MONTICELLO, NY — Randy Parker, the commissioner of the Sullivan County Division of Family Services (DFS) who was placed on paid administrative leave, says his rights are being violated. In an interview published on February 17, Parker said he is entitled to a public hearing over the matter.

A story published in the Times Herald Record says that Parker will be meeting with county manager Josh Potosek and county attorney Sam Yasgur on February 20, and will have the opportunity to speak and provide a written statement, but the article says, “Parker is not allowed to ask any questions.”

Parker has been defended by many of the county employees in the DFS, but has also created tension with others, as his actions and those of the county fraud unit led to the firing of three DFS employees who pleaded guilty to fraud charges.