A school worker from Chicago has been sentenced to nine years in prison after stealing $1.5 million (£1.18 million) worth of chicken wings, prosecutors have revealed. Vera Liddell, 68, orchestrated a year-long scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic, diverting 11,000 cases of chicken wings intended for students.
The theft, which began in July 2020, went unnoticed until a business manager at Liddell’s school conducted a routine audit and discovered that food costs were $300,000 (£235,000) over budget. The alarming discrepancy led to an investigation that uncovered Liddell’s elaborate operation.
As the head of food services for a decade, Liddell used her position to purchase massive quantities of chicken wings, which she then collected using a school cargo van.
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Despite her regular acquisitions, students never received any of the wings, as schools were closed and only meal kits were being distributed to pupils learning remotely.
Liddell was initially charged with theft and operating a criminal enterprise. She pleaded guilty to the charges and was subsequently sentenced to nine years in prison. The case highlights the extent of the fraudulent activity that occurred during the pandemic, when oversight and routine operations were often disrupted.
