In a bizarre case of fraud, Vera Liddell, a former food service director at Harvey School District 152 in Illinois, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for stealing $1.5 million worth of chicken wings. This unusual crime has captured the attention of many, not just for its scale but also for the sheer audacity of the scheme. The theft took place between July 2020 and February 2022, a period marked by the C-19 pandemic when schools were closed, and students were learning remotely. Despite the closure, the school district continued to provide meals for students to pick up. Liddell exploited this situation by placing unauthorized orders for over 11,000 cases of chicken wings from the district’s supplier, Gordon Food Service. Liddell used her position to manipulate the ordering system, ensuring that the chicken wings were billed to the school district but never made it to the students. Instead, she picked up the orders herself, using a district cargo van. The scheme went unnoticed until a routine audit in January 2022 revealed that the food service department had exceeded its annual budget by over $300,000, prompting further investigation. The audit uncovered invoices for massive quantities of chicken wings, a food item not typically served to students because they contain bones. This discovery led to a deeper probe, revealing the extent of Liddell’s

fraudulent activities. Surveillance footage and testimonies from employees at Gordon Food Service confirmed her frequent visits to pick up the orders. Liddell was charged with felony theft, continuing a financial crime enterprise, and forgery in January 2023. She pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to nine years in prison on August 9, 2024. The community’s reaction to the case has been a mix of surprise , disbelief, and even humor. The sheer volume of chicken wings stolen and the boldness of the crime have led to a flurry of reactions on social media, with many finding it hard to believe that such a heist could happen in a school setting. Lessons Learned This case serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent oversight and regular audits in public institutions. It also highlights how crises, like the C-19 pandemic, can create opportunities for fraud if proper checks and balances are not in place. As the community processes this unusual crime, the focus now shifts to ensuring that such an incident does not happen again. The school district has already implemented stricter controls and auditing procedures to prevent future fraud. In the end, the great chicken wing heist of Harvey School District 152 will be remembered as a cautionary tale of how a seemingly small oversight can lead to a massive fraud.