January 20, 2025
By Rachel Scofield

The Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas has set bond at $5,000 for Vanessa Niekamp, the former director of the Pickerington Food Pantry. Niekamp was indicted by a grand jury in December on felony charges of forgery, identity fraud and telecommunications fraud.

A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for March 6. According to court documents, a jury trial has been set for April 21 at 9 a.m. before Judge David A. Trimmer.

Niekamp resigned as director of the food pantry last fall and did not seek re-election to the Pickerington Local School Board. She continues to serve as Violet Township Fiscal Officer.

The charges stem from a 2022 audit report submitted to the United Way as part of a grant application. The report appeared to have been prepared by Siebert & Associates, CPAs, though the firm contends that Niekamp created the document.

Previous coverage:

• Niekamp Faces Felony Charges – Pickerington Online
• Police Investigate Food Pantry Audit – Pickerington Online