KINGSTON – Ulster County Comptroller March Gallagher’s investigation into possible illegal activity by employees of the county’s bus transportation system – Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT), is compliant with county law, she told county legislators Thursday afternoon.
At issue is her use of a video recorder without notifying the county executive, legislature or employees, which is required under a 2018 county resolution. Gallagher maintains that does not apply to the use of a personal recorder.
During a 50-minute discussion with members of the Laws, Rules and Government Services Committee that sounded like a legal deposition, Gallagher said she was advised by legal counsel that her investigation was within her legal obligations.
“The methods that we pursued in this investigation were informed by the mishandling of a prior whistleblower complaint, and that, combined with the current whistleblower complaints that have come to my office recently, it was determined that the preliminary stages of the investigation should remain internal to the comptroller’s office, which is consistent with my duty and authority under the Ulster County Charter and New York State law,” she said.
Legislators suggested that the existing county policy be reviewed and possibly updated to comply with current technology.
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