KINGSTON – Ulster County Legislator Joseph Maloney (D-Saugerties) has renewed calls for an investigation into former Ulster County Commissioner of Finance, Burt Gulnick, who resigned earlier this week. Gulnick also served as the treasurer for the Hurley Recreation Association, a private association, and is under investigation after money has gone missing. The Hurley Recreation Association is not associated with the Town of Hurley.
In light of the resignation, Maloney is seeking to have New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and Attorney General Tish James conduct a full investigation into the various actions of Gulnick. In the past 18 months according to Maloney, several women have filed lawsuits against Ulster County and Gulnick which Maloney argues should be publicly available. The lawmaker says he has asked for information and has been “repeatedly denied access to investigative reports conducted by the previous administration” which were paid for by the county.
In May of last year, Legislator Maloney raised concerns and called for Gulnick to be put on administrative leave while an investigation into how a property would be allowed to go years without paying property taxes of more than $10 million dollars in back taxes owed while being allowed to operate as a revenue-producing business. Maloney claims that a pay-to-play scheme may have played a role as Gulnick was the treasurer of former Executive Mike Hein’s campaign and the owners of the business at 701 Grant Avenue were connected to donations made to Hein.
“I have made my concerns public many times concerning the conduct of Mr. Burt Gulnick and have never gotten any support”, Maloney said, “I think now is the time this county takes seriously the access this individual had and get to the bottom of what has been happening and pray that County assets have not been affected.” Former Legislature Chairman Dave Donaldson supports Maloney’s call for an investigation, saying “For years, Legislator Maloney brought valid concerns about Mr. Gulnick’s actions inside our finance office and was unfortunately largely ignored. During my last term I realized he may be correct and brought my own concerns to then County Executive Ryan to no avail. For whatever reason, only Maloney was willing to face the hard facts that we have a real problem on our hands,” while also calling for an investigation.
