A Lyons woman already being held at the Wayne County Jail was charged after investigators said she allowed another person to use her benefits and filed a forged document to obtain additional assistance.
The Wayne County Sheriff's Office said Brittney McKnight, 38, of Franklin Street in Lyons, was arrested following a welfare fraud investigation in Lyons by deputies and the Wayne County Department of Social Services.
Deputies said McKnight was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, fifth-degree welfare fraud, misuse of food stamps and three counts of petit larceny.
Investigators alleged McKnight allowed another person to use $109 in food stamps in exchange for a place to live and access to $100 in cash assistance. Deputies also said she forged a document stating she was pregnant to receive an additional pregnancy benefit totaling $250 over several months, when she was not pregnant.
The sheriff's office said McKnight was incarcerated at the Wayne County Jail and was scheduled to be arraigned at 7 p.m. June 25.
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