10,000 Missing Boxes of Chicken Wings... US School Meal Manager Embezzled Ingredients

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seung-woo] A school meal manager in Chicago, USA, was caught committing a bold crime by embezzling food supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic when schools were closed. The embezzled food supplies are reported to be worth approximately $1.5 million (about 1.8 billion KRW).

On the 2nd (local time), according to Chicago local media, AP News, and CBS, the Illinois prosecutor charged Vera Riddell (66), the meal manager of Illinois School District 152, which oversees the southern suburb city of Harvey, Chicago, with theft.

According to the Chicago prosecutor's office, Riddell ordered 11,000 boxes of chicken wings from a food supplier contracted by the school district over a period of 19 months starting from July 2020. Although chicken wings contain bones and are not included in the school cafeteria menu, she regularly placed large orders.

The food supplier, Gordon Food Service, stated, "Because Riddell purchased an enormous amount of chicken wings, all our company employees knew him," and added, "Since the school district paid the full amount, we naturally assumed all purchases were approved by the district."

Riddell's fraudulent activities were uncovered during a routine audit of the school district. Last month's audit revealed that the meal-related department's expenses exceeded the annual budget by $300,000 (about 370 million KRW). The investigation found multiple signed transaction statements for the large purchase of chicken wings from July 2020 to February 2022.

The prosecution explained, "Riddell's crime occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic when students were attending online remote classes," and added, "However, those food supplies were not provided to the schools or students under her jurisdiction." They also noted that it has not yet been confirmed what Riddell used the large quantity of chicken wings for.

Currently, Riddell is detained in the local jail after the court set her bail at $150,000 (about 180 million KRW).

Meanwhile, Chicago local broadcaster WGN reported, "District 152, where Riddell is in charge, has about 1,600 students attending five elementary schools and one middle school, with over 80% of them coming from low-income families."