Vera Liddell, the former food service director for Harvey School District 152 in Illinois, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for stealing $1.5 million worth of chicken wings. The theft, which occurred during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, involved 11,000 cases of wings that were meant to feed students who were learning remotely.
Starting in July 2020, Liddell exploited her role by placing large orders for chicken wings under the school district’s budget. However, the wings never reached the students.
Instead, Liddell used a school cargo van to pick up the orders and misappropriated them for her own use. This scheme continued until February 2022, when a routine audit revealed that the district’s food budget had been exceeded by $300,000 with several months left in the school year.
The audit led to an investigation, which uncovered the full extent of Liddell’s crime. In January 2023, she was arrested and charged with theft and operating a criminal enterprise. After pleading guilty to the charges, Liddell, who had held her position for a decade, was sentenced to nine years in prison.
The case underscores the importance of vigilance and oversight in public institutions, particularly during times of crisis. The stolen chicken wings, which were intended to support students during remote learning, represent a significant breach of trust and highlight the severe penalties for such misconduct.
