Two fire officials in felony scheme
Former chief, commissioner charged in corruption case
A fire captain and a member of the board of commissioners of the West Hurley Fire District are facing felony charges, accused of abusing their authority and costing the district more than $30,000 since 2012, the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office said Friday.
David Gutierrez, 52, the former fire chief and current captain, was arrested Friday, along with Michael “Bucky” VanValkenburgh, 44, both of West Hurley. Both men were charged with corrupting the government, a felony, and official misconduct, a misdemeanor, authorities said.
In a press release, Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnright said his office worked on
the case with state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
“Mr. Gutierrez and Mr. VanValkenburgh allegedly violated their duty and used resources meant to protect their community to fund their personal business and lifestyle.” DiNapoli said in a prepared statement.
Constituents in the fire district brought the matter to the attention of Hurley town Supervisor John Perry, according to the release. “I want to be clear
that the West Hurley Fire District should not and will not be tarnished by these few individuals,” Perry said in the release.
Gutierrez, with VanValkenburgh’s assistance, allegedly used the fire district water tanker for his wife’s business, Woodstock Landscaping and Excavating. He also allegedly used the tanker to fill ponds, mix concrete and water plants for his wife’s business and used the fire district’s vehicle, gasoline and EZ-Pass while traveling statewide to conduct his wife’s business.
VanValkenburg, who
also worked for Woodstock Landscaping and Excavating, allegedly defrauded the district of $20,755. A Comptroller’s Office spokeswoman said the $20,755 was part of the total allegedly defrauded by both men.
As a fire district board commissioner, VanValkenburgh was barred from receiving any payment from the district. Instead, he allegedly laundered payments through a relative who had a cleaning contract with the fire district.
The relative was not named by authorities and additional information was not immediately available.