In a scandal that’s left many shaking their heads, a former Illinois school worker will spend the next nine years behind bars after stealing a staggering 11,000 cases of chicken wings—worth $1.5 million—that were meant to feed students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vera Liddell, a 68-year-old who served as the food service director at Harvey School District 152, exploited her position to carry out this brazen crime. According to prosecutors, Liddell’s scheme ran from July 2020 to February 2022, a period during which the district was already facing unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic.
The theft came to light when the district’s financial oversight revealed a troubling discrepancy. The school system’s budget had been blown out of the water, prompting a deeper investigation that uncovered Liddell’s crime. Despite the schools being closed for in-person learning, the district was still distributing meal kits to students engaged in remote learning.
Liddell’s criminal enterprise was as elaborate as it was unscrupulous. She used her role to purchase an enormous quantity of chicken wings, which she then transported using a school cargo van. Astonishingly, not a single wing ever made it to the students. The revelation came as a shock to many, especially since Liddell had served as the food service head for a decade and was trusted with ensuring that students received their meals.
The theft was discovered during a routine audit, which revealed that food costs had exceeded the budget by a whopping $300,000. The audit triggered a closer examination that eventually led to Liddell’s arrest. She was charged with theft and operating a criminal enterprise in January 2023. After taking a guilty plea, she was sentenced to nine years in prison, providing a rare but stark example of corruption within educational institutions.
The case has stirred outrage, particularly because it occurred during a time of severe economic strain and uncertainty. Families and students, already struggling with the disruptions caused by the pandemic, were deprived of crucial food supplies that were meant to support them. Instead, they were victimized by someone they trusted to provide for their nutritional needs.
This scandal not only highlights a significant breach of trust but also underscores the importance of rigorous oversight in public institutions. The fact that such a large-scale theft went unnoticed for so long raises serious questions about financial management and accountability within the district.
As Liddell begins her nine-year sentence, the community and school district are left to grapple with the fallout of her actions. The case serves as a sobering reminder that integrity and responsibility must remain paramount, especially when entrusted with roles that directly impact the welfare of vulnerable populations.
