Until the cabinet of Premier Darrell Dexter was sworn in on June 19, 2009, Hurlburt served as Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.
Hurlburt resigned from the legislature on February 9, 2010, following revelations that he had spent his constituency allowance on a generator and a 40" television, which together cost over $11,000.
[2] He sought sanctuary in Florida citing "severe depression" where he was visited by his son and his lawyer, Martin Pink.
[3] On February 14, 2011, it was announced that Hurlburt was among four people facing criminal charges in connection with the RCMP investigation into 2010s MLA expense scandal.
Hurlburt was charged with fraud exceeding $5,000, breach of trust by a public officer, and 3 counts of uttering a forged document.