NYC School Food Chief Sentenced for Bribery Scandal: Kids Served Contaminated Chicken

NYC School Food Chief Jailed for Bribery: Kids Served Contaminated Chicken

The former head of food services for New York City public schools, Eric Goldstein, has been sentenced to two years in prison for his role in a bribery scandal. This scandal resulted in children being served chicken tenders contaminated with metal and bone.

Goldstein was sentenced alongside Blaine Iler, Michael Turley, and Brian Twomey, who ran a vendor that supplied food to the city's schools. The vendor, SOMMA Food Group, continued to supply food despite multiple complaints about contaminated chicken tenders, including reports of plastic, bones, and metal found in the chicken.

The investigation revealed that Goldstein accepted bribes from SOMMA in exchange for ensuring their products remained in the school system. The largest bribe was paid in 2016 after the city stopped serving SOMMA's chicken tenders due to a student choking on a bone. Goldstein then approved the reintroduction of SOMMA's products into the schools the very next day.

The U.S. Attorney, Breon Peace, stated that Goldstein "prioritized lining his pockets with payoffs" and "corruptly abused his high-ranking position of trust." All four men were found guilty of bribery, conspiracy, and other charges following a trial in 2023.

This case highlights the importance of safeguarding the health and well-being of children, especially within the school system.