Brandon Donahue, the former manager of Open Shutter, a contemporary fine art photography gallery on Main Avenue in Durango, possibly faces legal troubles in connection with his involvement with photographs by Steve McCurry, an internationally renowned photographer.

Margy Dudley, owner of the gallery, confirmed Wednesday that Donahue, who has worked for the gallery for eight years, no longer works there. She declined to elaborate.

“There is a reason, but I don’t want to comment on that,” Dudley said. “It’s a personnel issue.”

She also declined to discuss details of the case.

“I know very little at this time,” Dudley said. “I’m working on it, and I’m working with Steve McCurry studios on this.”

When reached Tuesday, Donahue declined to comment.

Donahue’s Durango lawyer, Anthony Savastano, also declined to discuss the case.

“We’re currently working with authorities,” he said. “We can’t really go beyond that at this time.”

He declined to say which authorities they’re working with.

No records of a civil or criminal action could be found in local courts or in federal courts in Colorado; Pennsylvania, where McCurry is from; or New York, where McCurry currently operates.

“Nothing has gotten to that point,” Dudley said.

No computers have been seized from Open Shutter Gallery, she said.

“The gallery is a reputable place,” Dudley said. “The gallery and myself have always dealt with the utmost integrity. Integrity is huge for me and this gallery.”

The gallery has had multiple shows featuring McCurry prints.

Dudley said Tuesday she is unaware if any of his prints have been removed from the gallery in connection with the investigation involving her former manager.

“It’s just sad and ugly,” she said. “The whole thing is unfortunate.”

McCurry’s photographs are some of the most iconic in contemporary photography. His photos have appeared on scores of magazine and book covers, including an image of an Afghan girl that appeared on the cover of the June 1985 issue of National Geographic Magazine.

“I am just protecting the gallery and the gallery’s reputation,” Dudley said. “At this point, that is my main focus. The gallery will continue to stay open and will continue to show fine art photography from around the world.”

Efforts to reach McCurry for comment were unsuccessful Tuesday and Wednesday.

shane@durangoherald.com