Illinois 'Lunch Lady' Gets 9 Years for $1.5 Million Chicken Wing Heist [VIDEO]

Vera Liddell, a 68-year-old school employee, has been condemned to nine years in prison for stealing $1.5 million worth of chicken wings.

Liddell's year-long heist involved stealing 11,000 cases of chicken wings, which were meant for students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The scheme reportedly began in July 2020 and was not detected until a business manager at his school near Chicago discovered a $300,000 overrun in food costs during a routine audit .

During the theft, Liddell used a school cargo van to transport the stolen wings, while the students did not receive any food.

Although schools were closed due to the pandemic, the district continued to distribute meal kits to students who were learning remotely.