A former Illinois school district employee will spend 9 years behind bars after stealing a staggering $1.5 million worth of chicken wings meant for students. Vera Liddell, 68, abused her position as food service director to carry out the brazen theft during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Liddell’s scheme ran from July 2020 to February 2022 while Harvey School District 152 near Chicago was closed. Though the district provided meal kits for remote learners, prosecutors say students never saw a single stolen wing.
The massive poultry heist only came to light when a routine audit found food costs were $300,000 over budget with months left in the school year. Investigators discovered Liddell had ordered and picked up 11,000 cases of wings using a school cargo van.
Originally charged with theft and operating a criminal enterprise, Liddell pleaded guilty before receiving her sentence. She had worked as food service head for a decade prior to her arrest.
This case highlights how some took advantage of pandemic disruptions for personal gain. While students learned remotely, Liddell exploited her position of trust to steal taxpayer funds meant to feed children. Her lengthy sentence sends a strong message about abusing public office during a crisis.
