Westchester Social Services Clerk Arrested for Daycare Bribery Scheme in Yonkers, Mount Vernon

Cheryl Spencer, a senior audit clerk for Westchester County’s Department of Social Services, was arrested and charged with a bribery scheme involving daycare providers participating in the Child Day Care Assistance program. Between June 2024 and April 2025, Spencer allegedly demanded cash payments from at least five daycare centers to expedite or ensure receipt of their state-funded reimbursement checks, reportedly collecting a total of $6,200. She faces multiple felony counts including bribe receiving, criminal solicitation, and official misconduct, and has been placed on administrative leave without pay. Spencer was released on her own recognizance, with temporary orders of protection issued to the victims and a court date set for August 26. Authorities condemned her actions as a serious breach of public trust that exploited vulnerable populations and jeopardized the financial stability of daycare providers serving low-income families. The arrest was the result of collaboration between the Westchester District Attorney's Office and the New York State Inspector General’s Office.