FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; FORMER SAUGERTIES COURT CLERK PLEADS GUILTY FOR TAMPERING WITH PUBLIC RECORDS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: UCDA@CO.ULSTER.NY.US
845-340-3280
October 21, 2025
FORMER SAUGERTIES COURT CLERK PLEADS GUILTY FOR TAMPERING WITH PUBLIC RECORDS
Kingston, NY—October 17, 2025, Haley Whalen, age 27, of Ulster Park, pled guilty in Ulster County Court to two felony counts of Tampering with Public Records in the First Degree, before visiting Sullivan County Judge James Farrell. The charges arose in connection to cases in which she altered Town of Saugerties court records while she was a Court Clerk for the court. She used her position to access and dismiss charges against at least one person with whom she had a personal relationship. She had no legal authority or permission of any judge of the court to do so. District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji said, “in our courts we are entitled to expect a fair process rather than having our cases dismissed because of who we know, or targeted because of who we have offended. This is corruption, pure and simple; it tarnished the sanctity of court records which are integral in the idea of equal treatment and justice for all; it is corruption that undermines integrity in public office.”
Defendant is due to be sentenced on January 9, 2026.
This was a thorough investigation by the New York State Police with the cooperation of the court and compulsory access to the relevant records.
ADA Karin Intermill is prosecuting the case. Defendant is represented by Thomas Petro.
###