The former Ulster County Commissioner of Finance, Burt Gulnick, was arrested last week and charged with several counts of grand larceny and falsifying business records for the Hurley Recreation Association, Inc., and the Friends of Mike Hein. In the wake of the arrest and recent resignation of the Commissioner of Finance, the Comptroller’s Office underscores the importance of internal controls in safeguarding taxpayer assets through the implementation of a number of immediate measures to mitigate the risk of fraud and abuse.

“Today’s arrest of former Commissioner of Finance Burt Gulnick puts into stark perspective the importance of having trust in public institutions. I commend County Executive Metzger for taking prompt and decisive action to protect the finances of the County. My office has already implemented many internal control changes and recommendations to improve transparency and accountability,” said Comptroller March Gallagher. “Our team has taken on new audits and processes to ensure Ulster County’s fiscal integrity. Many of the improvements in internal controls we are now recommending come from audits previously published by our Office. We are encouraged to have the cooperation of the Legislature and Executive in making these improvements to protect taxpayer resources.”