Vera Liddell, who served as the food service director for Harvey School District 152 in Illinois, has been sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to stealing $1.5 million worth of chicken wings. The elaborate scheme spanned over a year and a half, beginning in July 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic when schools were closed but continued to provide meals for students.
Liddell, 68, used her position to order 11,000 cases of chicken wings using school district funds. However, these wings never reached the students. Instead, Liddell used a school cargo van to collect the poultry, diverting it for her own purposes. The scam remained undetected until February 2022, when a routine audit by the district’s business manager revealed that food costs were $300,000 over budget, raising red flags.
Following this discovery, an investigation was launched, leading to Liddell’s arrest in January 2023. She was charged with theft and operating a criminal enterprise. Liddell, who had been in her position for 10 years, eventually pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced to nine years behind bars.
The case has drawn attention to the need for stronger oversight and accountability in school districts, especially during times of crisis when resources are stretched thin. The stolen chicken wings, which were intended to feed students during remote learning, highlight the severe consequences of financial misconduct in public institutions.
