In a case that gives new meaning to “flying the coop,” former Illinois school worker Vera Liddell has been sentenced to 9 years in prison for an audacious $1.5 million chicken wing heist. The 68-year-old ex-food service director at Harvey School District 152 near Chicago plucked the system clean during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Liddell’s scheme, which ran from July 2020 to February 2022, involved ordering and picking up a mind-boggling 11,000 cases of chicken wings. Using her position and a school cargo van, she managed to keep her illicit activities under the radar for over a year while schools were closed due to the pandemic.
The massive theft only came to light during a routine audit that found food costs were $300,000 over budget with months left in the school year. Prosecutors say that despite the district providing meal kits for remote learners, not a single stolen wing ever made it to the students.
Originally charged with theft and operating a criminal enterprise, Liddell eventually pleaded guilty. Her decade-long tenure as food service head came to an ignominious end with her arrest in January 2023.
This case highlights the importance of oversight and accountability, especially during times of crisis. While students grappled with the challenges of remote learning, Liddell exploited the situation for personal gain. Her lengthy sentence serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of abusing public trust and misusing taxpayer funds meant for children’s education and nutrition.
