Vera Liddell. Photo: Cook County State's Attorney's Office
A former cafeteria worker in Illinois has been sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to stealing $1.5 million worth of chicken wings from a school district. On Friday, August 9, Vera Liddell, the former director of food services for Harvey School District, was charged with theft and operating a criminal enterprise, according to reports from, ABC.
Liddell, 68, managed the food service operations for the Chicago school district despite a history of multiple bankruptcies. Her criminal activity, which spanned nearly two years, involved placing large orders for chicken wings from the district’s main food supplier starting in July 2020.
Although the food was charged to the school district, Liddell kept the chicken wings for herself, a scheme that went unnoticed until the district’s food service department exceeded its annual budget by $300,000 just halfway through the fiscal year, told CBS.
The scale of the theft became apparent when court records revealed that Liddell had ordered more than 11,000 cases of chicken wings, intended to be distributed to students learning remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, schools were closed for in-person learning, but the district continued to provide take-home meals for students.
“The massive fraud began at the height of COVID during a time when students were not allowed to be physically present in school,” a prosecutor explained during Liddell’s bond hearing, according to WGN-TV. “Even though the children were learning remotely, the school district continued to provide meals for the students that their families could pick up.”
Liddell’s actions were finally brought to light after an audit revealed the substantial budget overrun, prompting further investigation. The misuse of district funds for personal gain, especially during a time of heightened need, has shocked the community.
While Miganie reached out to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office for further details, they did not receive an immediate response. It remains unclear if Liddell has legal representation to comment on her behalf.
Having worked at the school district for over a decade, Liddell’s betrayal of trust has led to her conviction and lengthy prison sentence. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of oversight and accountability, especially in managing resources meant to support vulnerable students during crises.
