A former school district employee in Illinois has been sentenced to nine years in prison for orchestrating a scheme that resulted in the theft of over $1.5 million worth of chicken wings.
Vera Liddell, 68, who served as the food service director for Harvey School District in Chicago, was convicted of theft and operating a criminal enterprise. The operation, which authorities described as a “heist,” began in July 2020 and involved Liddell ordering van-loads of chicken wings intended for the school district. Instead of being used for school meals, the wings were stolen and never delivered to the district’s schools.
On August 9, 2024, Liddell pleaded guilty to the charges and was subsequently sentenced. The investigation into her activities revealed a pattern of financial misconduct, including multiple bankruptcies in her past.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the magnitude of the theft and the breach of trust involved, highlighting the need for greater oversight in school district operations.
