A former Wallkill Fire District Board of Fire Commission chairman was sentenced to 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison for stealing nearly $240,000 from the district, Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnright announced Friday.

Michael Denardo, 39, of Wallkill pleaded guilt in September to grand larceny and three counts of criminal tax fraud. Denardo obtained blank checks from the district's account and submitted fraudulent invoices and receipts for expenses.

Denardo admitted to stealing the funds without anyone else's knowledge, including his wife's. Denardo used his wife's bank account to funnel the stolen money. He also admitted to tax fraud on his state tax filings for 2011, 2012 and 2013.

"The case originated when an anonymous complaint was made to NYS Comptroller (Thomas) DiNapoli’s Office prompting an audit of the Fire District Account," Carnright said in a press release. "The Comptroller’s audit resulted in clear evidence of Denardo’s thefts, which evidence Mr. DiNapoli turned over to my office."

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