KINGSTON — Former Ulster County Finance Commissioner Burt Gulnick was arrested Friday and charged with more than 50 counts, including grand larceny and falsifying business records in connection with his activities as treasurer for a local nonprofit and the election campaign for former County Executive Mike Hein.
The charges include at least two counts of felony larceny in the second- and third-degree and five counts of falsifying records, according to District Attorney Dave Clegg.
The arrest follows a nearly three-month investigation by State Police, who filed the charges, Clegg said. The district attorney’s office will take over the case, though as of Friday afternoon, Clegg had not seen the entire scope of charges.
“Our office will be in charge of this prosecution and we will take it extremely seriously,” he said.
Gulnick resigned as finance commissioner in March amid allegations he stole from the Hurley Recreation Association, where he was treasurer — a position he held alongside his county role. The nonprofit, locally referred to as Hurley Rec, is a swimming and outdoor recreation park. Its leadership fired Gulnick after discovering “financial discrepancies” in its books.
County Comptroller March Gallagher said her office was made aware of the allegations against Gulnick on Feb. 28 and immediately launched an internal investigation into his work for the county, prompting Gulnick to resign.
News of his arrest on Friday was first reported by the Daily Freeman.
“This morning, I was informed that former Commissioner of Finance Burt Gulnick has been arrested on over 50 charges related to activities as treasurer of the Hurley Recreation Association and the Friends of Mike Hein political campaign,” County Executive Jen Metzger said in a statement. “My top priority continues to be ensuring that county funds were not compromised during Mr. Gulnick’s…
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