KINGSTON – Former Ulster County commissioner of finance Burt Gulnick has been arrested by State Police on charges of grand larceny and falsifying business records for the Hurley Recreation Association and the Friends of Mike Hein.
County Comptroller March Gallagher said the state comptroller’s office is conducting a forensic audit and her office is also looking into the matter.
“I can tell you our audits have identified the potential for theft,” she told Mid-Hudson News.
To ensure there are no issues involving county funds in the future, Gallagher has recommended amendments to the county charter to address a number of internal controls and transparency issues. There will be a transparency and accountability chatter referendum on the November ballot allowing the voters a say in the strengthening of financial controls.
She said her office has adopted new measures to increase fiscal oversight in the claims processing and audit functions.
Meanwhile, the Town of Hurley said Friday that the Hurley Recreation Association, commonly known as Hurley Rec, “is neither operated nor funded by the Town of Hurley. Its name is derived merely from the fact that it is located within the town.”
The town said that Hurley Rec, “a swimming and outdoor recreation park at 50 Dewitt Mills Road, is a nonprofit organization that is funded by members’ dues and guest fees, and is managed by a Board of Directors.”
