Comment on West Hurley fire officials accused of corruption

KINGSTON — A current fire commissioner and a former chief of the West Hurley Fire District face corruption and misconduct charges, Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnright and state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced Friday.Former fire chief David Gutierrez, 52, and commissioner Michael “Bucky” VanValkenburgh, 44, both of West Hurley, were each charged with fourth-degree corrupting the government, a felony; and official misconduct, a misdemeanor.