Suburban school worker pleads guilty to stealing $1.5M worth of chicken wings from district

HARVEY, Ill. — WGN Investigates has an update to a story that was first reported more than a year ago.

A south suburban school worker has pled guilty to stealing $1.5 millions worth of food, mainly chicken wings.

Previous Coverage: Suburban school worker charged with stealing $1.5M worth of chicken wings from district

Vera Liddell was the food service director for Harvey School District 152.

Cook County prosecutors accused her of stealing massive amounts of food meant for take-home meals for students learning remotely during the pandemic.

The Cook County State’s Attorney tells WGN Investigates that Liddell entered a guilty plea Friday and received a 9-year prison sentence.

Court records accuse Liddell of ordering more than 11,000 cases of chicken wings from the school district’s food provider and then picking-up the order in a district cargo van.

The scheme was uncovered by the district’s business manager during a routine mid-year audit.

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