LANCASTER, Ohio — The former executive director of the Pickerington Food Pantry is facing multiple felony charges following an investigation into falsified grant documents, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Pickerington Police Chief Tod Cheney.
Vanessa Niekamp, 55, of Pickerington, was indicted Thursday morning in Fairfield County Common Pleas Court on charges of telecommunication fraud (third-degree felony), identity fraud (third-degree felony), and forgery (fourth-degree felony).
Investigators with the Pickerington Police Department allege Niekamp altered an audit report that was used in the submission of grant forms on behalf of the nonprofit food pantry.
In addition to her former role at the pantry, Niekamp currently serves as a Pickerington School Board member and as the fiscal officer for Violet Township Trustees.
At the request of the Fairfield County Prosecutor’s Office, the case is being handled by the Special Prosecutions Section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
Officials note that an indictment is only a formal accusation. Niekamp is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
