Cheryl Spencer, a social services audit clerk, is accused of demanding payments in exchange for issuing reimbursement checks
August 5, 2025
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – On Tuesday, Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced the arrest of a Senior Audit Clerk from the Department of Social Services (DSS). The clerk has been charged in connection with an alleged shakedown scheme targeting daycare providers that serve low-income residents.
Charges Filed Against DSS Employee
Cheryl Spencer, 61, of Mount Vernon, was charged on Tuesday afternoon in White Plains City Court. She faces five counts of Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree (a class D felony), five counts of Criminal Solicitation in the Fourth Degree (a class A misdemeanor), and five counts of Official Misconduct (a class A misdemeanor).
Judge Eric Press released the defendant on her own recognizance because none of the charges qualified for bail eligibility. Each victim received temporary orders of protection, and the defendant was instructed to surrender all firearms.
DSS has placed Spencer on unpaid administrative leave while disciplinary charges or further action by the county are pending.
Her next court appearance is scheduled for August 26.
Official Statements
DA Cacace expressed strong disapproval, saying, “The brazenness of this defendant’s alleged conduct is particularly outrageous. Ms. Spencer allegedly preyed on daycare providers serving low-income families, putting their facilities at risk of closure.
“Not only is she accused of a serious breach of public trust, but she allegedly exploited a vulnerable population in order to line her own pockets.
“I am grateful for the work of the New York State Inspector General’s Office and IG Lucy Lang, whose partnership was instrumental in today’s arrest.”
The severity of the breach was highlighted by Inspector General Lucy Lang, “Affordable child care is mission critical for many New Yorkers, but particularly for struggling families. It is shocking that a public servant responsible for supporting the daycare programs that enable parents and other caregivers to remain in the workforce or attend school would abuse the public trust. Thank you to DA Cacace, her team and my team at the Offices of the New York State Inspector General, who share a commitment to ensuring accountability for public corruption so that child care providers can do the hard work of caring for New York’s children without being exploited by those who would seek to use their positions of power to enrich themselves.”
Alleged Extortion Scheme
The county offers financial assistance for daycare costs to eligible families through the Child Day Care Assistance program. This support is sent directly from DSS to the daycare provider.
Spencer received complaints from five daycare providers in Westchester about delays or missing reimbursement checks between June 1, 2024, and April 4, 2025, according to a felony complaint.
As a Senior Audit Clerk in the Daycare Payment Processing Unit, Spencer was responsible for processing checks and their associated paperwork.
In September 2024, Spencer received a complaint from the owner of a daycare facility (Daycare Provider 1) regarding late or missing reimbursement checks. The owner explained that these delays were causing a great deal of anxiety and that without timely payments, her daycare facility might not be able to continue operating.
Spencer informed Daycare Provider 1 that she must pay money for the paperwork to be processed, as stated in the felony complaint.
In one documented case, Spencer received $200 in cash from a daycare provider in October 2024 after being informed that payment was necessary for processing paperwork. Over the next several months, the same provider paid a total of over $1,000.
At least four other daycare providers in Westchester County are alleged to have been victimized in a similar fashion.
Search Warrant Findings
During the execution of a search warrant on Tuesday morning, investigators found a loaded, unsecured .380 caliber Smith & Wesson in the defendant’s vehicle. Spencer is a licensed gun owner, and this weapon is included on her pistol permit.
While executing another warrant on a second vehicle registered to the defendant, investigators found a loaded .45 caliber Star semi-automatic pistol. The defendant’s husband, who has a felony conviction, was arrested and charged with Second-Degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon.
Court Proceedings and Investigation
Anyone with information about this scheme is encouraged by the Westchester County District Attorney and New York State Inspector General to call the DA’s tip line at (914) 995-TIPS (8477).
The case was investigated by the New York State Inspector General’s Office and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecution is being handled by Assistant District Attorney Sheila Horgan, of the Public and Law Enforcement Integrity Bureau.
The charges against the defendant are merely accusations, and innocence is presumed unless and until guilt is proven.
