The former food service director for an Illinois school district has been sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to stealing $1.5 million worth of chicken wings that were meant to be distributed to students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to prosecutors, Vera Riddell, 68, who worked for Harvey School District 152, placed orders for chicken wings with the district’s food supplier, Gordon Food Services, from July 2020 to February 2022, stored the food and sent invoices to the district. ABC 7 Chicago.
She is accused of ordering more than 11,000 cases of chicken wings from a food supplier and picking up the orders in a cargo van in the district.
Illinois woman charged with stealing $1.5 million worth of chicken wings from school district
Vera Liddell, 68, pleaded guilty to stealing $1.5 million worth of chicken wings and was sentenced to nine years in prison. (Cook County Sheriff’s Office)
Schools have been closed during this time due to the pandemic, but the district has been sending meal kits to students who are learning remotely.
Liddell was charged in January 2023 with theft and operating a criminal enterprise.
According to court documents, the scheme was uncovered when the school district’s business director discovered an invoice for chicken during a routine midyear audit last year that noted chicken wings are not typically served to students because they contain bones.
Illinois school district employee accused of stealing $1.5M worth of chicken wings: Report
Vera Riddell is accused of ordering more than 11,000 cases of chicken wings from a district food supplier and picking up the orders in a district cargo van. (Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office)
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Prosecutors said the audit revealed that the district’s food service department exceeded its annual budget by $300,000 with half of the school year remaining.
Riddell worked for Harvey School District 152 for more than 10 years.
