Former school nutrition director charged with stealing $1.5M worth of chicken wings

The former foodservice director for Harvey School District 152 in Harvey, Ill., has been charged with stealing $1.5 million worth of chicken wings, CBS News Chicago reports.

The Cook County State’s Attorney alleged that Vera Liddell stole the wings over a 19-month period during the height of COVID-19 when students were learning virtually.

Starting in July 2020 and up until February 2022, Liddell placed hundreds of unauthorized food orders with Gordon Food Service, the district’s food vendor, according to court documents.

At the start of 2022, the district’s business manager carried out a mid-year audit ,which showed that the nutrition department was already more than $300,000 over its annual budget at the midway point in the school year. Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that Liddell had signed individual invoices for 11,000 cases of chicken wings and other food items.

Surveillance video also showed Liddell picking up the food orders at Gordon Food Service in a district cargo van. The food was never brought to the school or students. The district does not even serve chicken wings to students since they contain bones, according to prosecutors.