Chiefs’ Chris Jones offers to pay for $1.5M worth of stolen chicken wings to help free a Cook County woman from prison.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones has stepped forward with a surprising and generous offer amid a controversial legal case. The NFL star has offered to pay for over $1.5 million worth of chicken wings stolen by a former school worker in Cook County, Illinois, in an effort to secure her release from prison.
“I’ll pay for the wings that she stole to get her free,” Chris Jones stated.
The situation revolves around Vera Lidell, a 68-year-old woman from Dolton, Illinois, who was sentenced to nine years in prison last Friday after pleading guilty to stealing more than $1.5 million worth of food, primarily chicken wings, from Harvey School District 152. Lidell had been working as the Director of Food Services for the district when the theft occurred.
Jones, known for his impressive skills on the football field, made the unexpected offer on social media. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, he stated, “I’ll pay for the wings that she stole to get her free.”
Lidell’s theft took place between July 2020 and February 2022, a period that coincided with the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, students were not physically attending school, but the district continued to provide meals for students that their families could pick up. Prosecutors revealed that Lidell placed hundreds of unauthorized food orders, including 11,000 cases of chicken wings, through the school’s main supplier. These orders were made separately from the district’s legitimate orders, allowing her to carry out the scheme undetected for a significant amount of time.
The theft was eventually uncovered during a routine mid-year audit in January 2022, which revealed that the district’s food service department had exceeded its annual budget by over $300,000, even though the school year was only halfway through. This discrepancy led to a deeper investigation, ultimately uncovering the massive fraud.
Despite Jones’ offer to cover the cost of the stolen wings, Lidell has already been convicted and sentenced for her crimes. In addition to her prison sentence, she was charged in January 2023 with felony theft, continuing a financial crime enterprise, and forgery. These charges underscore the serious nature of her actions and the significant financial impact they had on the school district.
Chris Jones’ offer has sparked a variety of reactions on social media. Some people praise the NFL star for his generosity and willingness to help, while others question whether paying for the stolen wings would actually lead to Lidell’s release. After all, her conviction is based on her actions, and simply covering the financial loss may not be enough to overturn her sentence.
Jones has not elaborated on how he plans to proceed with his offer or whether he will take any further legal steps to try to secure Lidell’s release. However, his involvement in the case has brought renewed attention to the story and raised questions about the complexities of the legal system and the potential for redemption.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen whether Jones’ offer will have any impact on Lidell’s sentence. For now, the case serves as a reminder of the far-reaching consequences of financial crimes and the unexpected ways in which public figures can become involved in legal matters.
Jones’ offer to cover the stolen wings reflects his desire to make a difference, even in a situation as unusual as this one. While the outcome remains uncertain, his gesture has certainly captured the attention of both sports fans and the general public alike.
