New York Social Services Worker Charged With Issuing Multiple Benefit Cards to Herself
A county government Social Services worker wanted to get in on the benefits government doles out in New York state.
Instead, she got indicted.
Amber Tibbetts, 37, of Jamestown, has been accused of issuing SNAP benefits cards to herself by using information from other clients in an attempt to beat the system, according to WIVB-TV.
Cash was also stolen, the Chautauqua County district attorney’s office said.
Tibbetts faces six counts of first-degree tampering with public records; six counts of second-degree forgery; four counts of second-degree identity theft; three counts of petit larceny; and a charge of fourth-degree corrupting the government.
County officials would not reveal how much in illegal benefits was obtained. Officials said there were “multiple victims” over “multiple transactions.”
A second employee who was a senior case worker was charged with fifth-degree welfare fraud, but officials kept that employee’s name private.
“I apologize that these were two employees,” County Executive P.J. Wendel said Wednesday. “They took advantage of our most vulnerable population and it’s very unfortunate.”
“We’ve seen this more in public but this is one of the first times we’ve seen it with an in-house situation,” Wendel said. “We’ve done our homework. We’ve done our due diligence. The system will work. Justice will play out.”
Officials praised the work of the Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services’ Program Integrity Unit, which worked with the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, according to a Chautauqua County news release.
The suspect is charged with “using her position within the Department of Social Services to fraudulently obtain temporary assistance funds from the County,” the release said.
The suspect allegedly “used existing Social Service clients’ information to issue benefit cards directly to herself.”
“The investigation was initiated after two of the victims contacted Social Services to report suspicious activity on their benefits card.”
Tibbetts began working for county government in 2022, according to the Post-Journal.
When asked about the amount of benefits taken, First Assistant District Attorney Tom Rankin said, “I’m reluctant to give you a specific amount, but I can say she’s been charged with felonies for a reason.”
“Protecting taxpayer dollars and maintaining public trust is a responsibility we take seriously,” Wendel wrote on Facebook.
“The recent investigation involving Social Services benefits demonstrates the importance of having strong oversight systems in place. Our Program Integrity Unit identified concerns, conducted a thorough review and worked with the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office as the investigation moved forward,” he wrote.
“This is accountability working as it should: concerns are reported, they are investigated, and appropriate action is taken through established processes,” he wrote.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
