Sports

Chris Jones Says He Will 'Pay for the Wings' to Release Woman in Prison for $1.5M School Chicken Theft

The three-time Super Bowl champ wants the 68-year-old former school employee to be released.

Chris Jones pictured at a game
Image via Getty/David Eulitt

Chris Jones is advocating for the release of an Illinois woman currently imprisoned for her involvement in a $1.5 million chicken theft from a school district, and he’s offering to personally cover the loss.

On Tuesday, Jones, a defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs, expressed this intention in a post on X. The case involves 68-year-old Vera Liddell, a former food service director for Harvey School District 152, who recently pleaded guilty earlier this month.

As previously reported, Liddell was accused of ordering over 11,000 cases of chicken wings, valued at approximately $1.5 million, while employed by the school system. The food was intended for students attending remote classes from 2020 to early 2022.

"I'll pay for the wings that she stole to get her free," Jones wrote on X.

To be clear, such an offer will have no bearing on Liddell's sentence. It's also unclear whether Jones is making a serious effort to secure her release or if his comment was more lighthearted.

Regardless, a rep for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office confirmed in a statement to Complex that Liddell pleaded guilty to theft this past Friday was sentenced to nine years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Related Stories

a mugshot is shown
life

Former Illinois School Employee Gets 9 Years Behind Bars in $1.5 Million Chicken Wing Theft Case

The ex-employee in question, per online jail records, was booked into custody last Friday.

Food director for a south Chicago school district stole $1.5 million worth of chicken wings
life

School Food Director Accused of Stealing $1.5 Million Worth of Chicken Wings

A former official at a suburban school district near Chicago has been accused of stealing $1.5 million worth of food, comprised primarily of chicken wings.

Brad Callas1189 days ago
a meal is pictured from chick fil a
life

Chick-fil-A Reaches $4.4 Million Settlement Over Food Delivery Costs

The settlement amount is reported to include a cash fund and a gift card fund, with those affected expected to be contacted via email.

Stay ahead on Exclusives

Download the Complex App