{"id":2643883,"date":"2026-08-12T20:06:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T00:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-social-services-worker-charged-with-issuing-multiple-benefit-cards-to-herself\/"},"modified":"2026-08-12T20:15:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T00:15:01","slug":"new-york-social-services-worker-charged-with-issuing-multiple-benefit-cards-to-herself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-social-services-worker-charged-with-issuing-multiple-benefit-cards-to-herself\/","title":{"rendered":"New York Social Services Worker Charged With Issuing Multiple Benefit Cards to Herself"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnew-york-social-services-worker-charged-with-issuing-multiple-benefit-cards-to-herself%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2643883&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>An article reports on a county goverment social Services worker in Jamestown, New York, who was indicted for misusing SNAP benefits. Amber Tibbetts, 37, allegedly issued benefit cards to herself by using information from other clients to fraudulently obtain assistance and steal cash. she faces multiple charges including tampering with public records,forgery,identity theft,petit larceny,and corrupting the government.A second employee was also charged with welfare fraud. County officials emphasized that the system is being properly managed and praised the investigative units involved. The investigation was triggered by victims reporting suspicious activity on their benefits cards, and authorities have not disclosed the total amount stolen. The case highlights the importance of oversight and accountability in public assistance programs.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>A county government Social Services worker wanted to get in on the benefits government doles out in New York state.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, she got indicted.<\/p>\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wivb.com\/news\/crime\/former-chautauqua-county-employee-accused-of-issuing-benefits-cards-to-herself\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WIVB-TV<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Cash was also stolen, the Chautauqua County district attorney\u2019s office said.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>County officials would not reveal how much in illegal benefits was obtained. Officials said there were \u201cmultiple victims\u201d over \u201cmultiple transactions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A second employee who was a senior case worker was charged with fifth-degree welfare fraud, but officials kept that employee\u2019s name private.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI apologize that these were two employees,\u201d County Executive P.J. Wendel said Wednesday. \u201cThey took advantage of our most vulnerable population and it\u2019s very unfortunate.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve seen this more in public but this is one of the first times we\u2019ve seen it with an in-house situation,\u201d Wendel said. \u201cWe\u2019ve done our homework. We\u2019ve done our due diligence. The system will work. Justice will play out.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Officials praised the work of the Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services\u2019 Program Integrity Unit, which worked with the Chautauqua County District Attorney\u2019s Office and the Chautauqua County Sheriff\u2019s Office, according to a Chautauqua County <a href=\"https:\/\/chautauquacountyny.gov\/county-executive\/news\/program-integrity-unit-district-attorneys-office-and-sheriffs-office-work\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news release<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The suspect is charged with \u201cusing her position within the Department of Social Services to fraudulently obtain temporary assistance funds from the County,\u201d the release said.<\/p>\n<p>The suspect allegedly \u201cused existing Social Service clients\u2019 information to issue benefit cards directly to herself.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe investigation was initiated after two of the victims contacted Social Services to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fbi-warns-americans-who-use-fake-vaccine-passports-may-be-breaking-the-law\/\" title=\"FBI Warns Americans Who Use Fake Vaccine Passports \u2018May Be Breaking The Law\u2019\">report suspicious activity<\/a> on their benefits card.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Tibbetts began working for county government in 2022, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.post-journal.com\/news\/top-stories\/2026\/08\/dss-worker-arrested-for-allegedly-stealing-benefits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Post-Journal<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>When asked about the amount of benefits taken, First Assistant District Attorney Tom Rankin said, \u201cI\u2019m reluctant to give you a specific amount, but I can say she\u2019s been charged with felonies for a reason.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cProtecting taxpayer dollars and maintaining public trust is a responsibility we take seriously,\u201d Wendel wrote on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CountyExecutiveWendel\/videos\/27861268060180961\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe 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\u2019s Office and District Attorney\u2019s Office as the investigation moved forward,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is accountability working as it should: concerns are reported, they are investigated, and appropriate action is taken through established processes,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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