(AP) -- New York authorities say a former Hudson Valley fire commissioner has been sentenced to more than two years in prison and ordered to pay restitution for stealing nearly $240,000 from the Wallkill Fire District.

According to the state comptroller's office, Michael Denardo, former fire district board chairman, faces 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison following sentencing Friday in Ulster County Court.

The 39-year-old Denardo pleaded guilty in September to grand larceny and three counts of tax fraud.

His three-year scam was discovered by the comptroller's auditors.

Investigators say Denardo convinced the treasurer to give him blank checks and another board member signed them. He deposited the checks, laundered the money through his wife's account and submitted fake bills to the district.