NFL Player Speaks Out After Gambling Woman Sentenced For Stealing Chicken Wings

A 68-year-old woman has been sentenced to nine years in prison for stealing $1.5 million worth of chicken wings, selling them, and gambling away the proceeds. The woman, Vera Liddell, is South Chicago schools' former food service director. 

Throughout this case, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones has spoken out as willing to pay back $1.5 million in exchange for her release. 

Details of the Case

As mentioned, Liddell was a food director for South Chicago schools. This chicken wings scheme began during the pandemic in July 2020 when students were learning remotely and not present at the school. 

However, the school district continued to provide meals for students in need so the families could pick them up. 

From then through February 2022, Liddell placed hundreds of orders for chicken wings from the school district’s supplier, Gordon Food Service. They billed the school district, and they paid.

After an audit, the school district soon realized that the school had maxed out its yearly budget by $300,000, and it was only January. In all, there were about 11,000 cases of chicken wings valued at $1.5 million. 

The Guilty Plea

Liddell pled guilty to felony theft. Along with her guilty plea, her attorney, Patrick O’Byrne, had this to say about his client:

“She’s just a little sweetheart that’s got a gambling problem. She feels beyond terrible about this. This is totally uncharacteristic of her. It was the disease taking over.”

He added, “She feels incredibly distraught, terrible about what she did. She can’t even believe she did it.”

Before this, Liddell had filed for bankruptcy at least twice from 2009 to 2016 in Chicago courts. 

During this process, Jones, the star defensive tackle of the Chiefs, got involved. 

Chris Jones Speaks Out

Following the news of this arrest going viral, Jones took to X to express his sentiments on the matter. In a quoted post from My Mixtapez that read, “Illinois school worker has been sentenced to 9 years in prison for stealing $1.5 million worth of chicken wings over the years,” with an eye emoji, Jones offered to pay the $1.5 million if it meant setting her free. 

“I’ll pay for the wings that she stole to get her free,” the three-time Super Bowl champion wrote on X. 

Liddell’s attorney has said that he’s contacted those representing Jones and is hoping that “everything works out so that we can get her out.”

Those representing Jones confirmed they are in contact with her attorney. Still, it’s unclear if his contribution will help with her sentencing.