Former County Employee Indicted on 20 Counts in Fraud Case

A former Chautauqua County employee has been arraigned on a 20-count indictment as the result of a joint investigation involving the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services Program Integrity Unit (PIU). Details of the case were announced during a Wednesday morning press conference in Mayville. The investigation, which also included the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office and Chautauqua County District Attorney's Office, began after two victims contacted Social Services to report suspicious activity on their benefits card. Mental Hygiene and Social Services Director Carmelo Hernandez says the activity occurred within the county...

Carmelo Hernandez: a big red flag

The suspect, 38-year-old Amber Tibbetts of Jamestown, is accused of using her position within the Department of Social Services to fraudulently obtain temporary assistance funds from the county. She allegedly did this by using Social Services' client information to issue benefit cards directly to herself. First Assistant District Attorney Tom Rankin says the charges against Tibbetts include 17 felonies...

Tom Rankin: charges against Tibbetts

County Executive P.J. Wendel says it's one of the first times the county has seen a case like this "in house"...

P.J. Wendel: do not lose faith in the system

Tibbetts pleaded not guilty to all counts and was released on her own recognizance. Her next court appearance is scheduled for September 9th for a discovery conference.

Meanwhile, Rankin also announced that another county employee -- a senior case worker -- was charged with 5th-degree welfare fraud in the investigation. WDOE News reached out to District Attorney Jason Schmidt, who tells us that person has been identified as 31-year-old Jessica Spagnualo, also of Jamestown. Rankin says her case is progressing through a separate court.

Photo and audio from Chautauqua County Government