- An Illinois educational institution employee was charged with pilfering chicken wings valued at $1.5 million during the pandemic.
- Liddell, who had been employed by the Harvey School District for more than ten years, was tasked with procuring provisions for the district.
- Judicial records disclose that she exploited her position by placing orders for over 11,000 crates of chicken wings and then transporting them in a district cargo van during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Liddell was apprehended and accused of theft, with a bail set at $150,000. She is presently in custody at the Cook County Jail, facing the repercussions of her actions.
Vera Liddell, an educator, was accused of purloining chicken wings in Illinois worth $1.5 million dollars.
The Harvey School District in Chicago, Illinois, was stunned to learn that their food service director, Vera Liddell, was the ringleader behind a substantial food theft scheme.
Liddell, who had been working for the Harvey School District for over a decade, was responsible for obtaining provisions for the district.
However, judicial records reveal that she abused her position by procuring over 11,000 cases of chicken wings and then collecting them in a district cargo van during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even though students were attending classes remotely, the district continued to provide meals for parents to collect. It wasn’t until a mid-year audit was conducted that school officials became aware of irregularities.
The district had exceeded its annual food service budget by a staggering $300,000, prompting further investigation.
The food item was never served to students as it contained bones.
During the investigation by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office, employees of the district’s food provider, Gordon Food Service, disclosed their awareness of Liddell and the substantial quantities of chicken wings she would procure.
Liddell was apprehended and accused of theft, with a bail set at $150,000. She is presently in custody at the Cook County Jail, facing the repercussions of her actions.
The Harvey School District has been left reeling from the shock of this substantial theft, and the students and families they serve will undoubtedly be affected by the lack of funding for their food services.
