OAN Staff Avril Elfi
Monday, August 12, 2024 5:47 p.m.
An Illinois school employee was sentenced to nine years in prison for stealing $1.5 million worth of chicken wings.
advertisement
Prosecutors said Vera Riddell stole 11,000 cases of chicken wings worth $1.5 million that were meant for students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Liddell is accused of using his position as the food service director for Harvey School District 152 to commit the crimes.
The 68-year-old reportedly began the scheme in July 2020 and continued it until February 2022.
According to prosecutors, as reported by WGN, she purchased large quantities of chicken and transported the food in the school’s cargo van, yet students never saw a single piece of chicken.
Though schools were closed during the peak of the pandemic, school districts near Chicago continued to send meal kits to students who were learning remotely.
In January 2023, Liddell was first charged with theft and operating a criminal business.
After the routine audit that led to Liddell’s arrest, the school’s business administrator discovered that food expenses had exceeded budget by $300,000 with several months still left in the school year.
Liddell pleaded guilty in the case before receiving a nine-year sentence.
Stay up to date! Receive the latest news directly in your email for free. Sign up here: https://www.oann.com/alerts
Advertisement below
Please share this post!
