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The former village clerk for Bemus Point has been taken into custody on allegations she stole more than $60,000 in village funds.
The arrest of Jennifer Jaeger was announced Wednesday by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt and Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone
Jaeger, 38, of Bemus Point, allegedly wrote village checks to herself using forged signatures of officials and had village officials sign blank checks which she then cashed. Additionally, Jaeger used the village bank account to pay for herself and her family’s personal cell phones and car payments, and to purchase Christmas gifts.
Bemus Point Mayor Bryan Dahlberg said Jaeger was placed on unpaid leave in late October after the comptroller’s office came to the village last year with “discrepancies” found in annual reports filed to the state. He said she remained on leave when told of her arrest Wednesday.
“When you hire someone you hope that they can do the job,” Dahlberg told The Post-Journal. “You’re sitting across the room with them for five years, and I guess I’m just disappointed, among other emotions -- mostly disappointed.”
Jaeger also allegedly used a village gasoline credit card to pay for fuel for her personal vehicle. She was employed by the village between 2015 and November of 2020.
“Jaeger allegedly treated the village funds as her personal bank account, writing checks to herself for personal expenses,” DiNapoli said. “Thanks to our partnership with Chautauqua County District Attorney Schmidt and Sheriff Quattrone, her actions have been exposed and she is now being held accountable for her violation of the public trust.”
“This is not a victimless crime,” Schmidt said. “The village of Bemus Point, like many of our local municipalities here in Chautauqua County, is engaged in an every-day battle to service its residents with precious little money. Every dollar stolen is a dollar not spent on the community. No one should use their public office for personal gain.”
Jaeger was charged with grand larceny in the second degree, forgery in the second degree, falsifying business records in the first degree, and official misconduct. Jaeger will be arraigned today in Chautauqua County Court in front of Judge David W. Foley.