Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 31-year-old Nicole Wichlacz of Buffalo was sentenced yesterday morning before State Supreme Court Justice Christopher J. Burns to a conditional discharge. She was ordered to pay a $500 fine.

The defendant, while employed as a clerk typist for Erie County Department of Social Services Child Protective Services (CPS), accessed county records and divulged confidential information to a friend on multiple occasions between July 30, 2019 and December 27, 2019. It is unlawful for an employee to take any action on a CPS case involving a family member or friend; or for their own personal financial interest.

The investigation began after the Erie County Department of Social Services received a tip. The defendant was terminated from her position in November 2020.

Wichlacz pleaded guilty, as charged, to one count of Official Misconduct (Class “A” misdemeanor) on February 16, 2021.

DA Flynn commends Detective Deputy Dan Brinkeroff of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and Assistant Commissioner-Administration Gavin Kasper of Erie County Department of Social Services for their work in the investigations.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Candace K. Vogel of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Unit.