(WNY News Now) – LITTLE VALLEY, NY – A Portville resident has been arrested on multiple felony charges following an investigation into alleged welfare fraud, according to the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau arrested Shartisha L. Wagner, 35, after an inquiry into a complaint filed by the Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services (DSS) in November 2024. Authorities allege Wagner concealed and failed to report income while receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, fraudulently obtaining $20,555 in assistance.
Wagner faces charges of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (D Felony), Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree (D Felony), and 18 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree (E Felony).
She was taken into custody without incident at the Cattaraugus County DSS office in Olean and later released with an appearance ticket. Wagner is scheduled to appear in City of Olean Court on March 4, 2025, at 9:30 AM.
The Cattaraugus County DSS Program Integrity Unit assisted in the investigation.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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