4 days ago
Massachusetts school food director charged with stealing funds to purchase 'lobster' and 'premium hamburgers'
A Massachusetts cafeteria director has been accused of using federal funds to supply his Cape Cod restaurant with expensive food and equipment.
Patrick VanCott, 62, was charged with larceny for allegedly ordering premium meats, including lobster, to resell at his own business, the Snack Shack at Sandy Neck Beach.
The Plymouth County District Attorney's office said VanCott used his position as Plymouth Public Schools food services director to order supplies for his restaurant using federal funds over the years.
'[VanCott] has been arraigned on charges that for a number of years he stole food, cafeteria equipment and paper goods from Plymouth Public Schools,' the DA's office said.
The investigation began on May 30 when police received an anonymous letter alleging criminal activity at the Plymouth Community Intermediate School.
'The letter alleged that a person had been stealing commercial equipment and food products from the school,' the DA's office said.
'As Director, VanCott was the sole person with the authority to place orders for the cafeteria.
'VanCott's food orders consisted of premium Angus hamburgers, hot dogs, lobster meat, and other food products that were not served to students or school staff.'
Video obtained by the DA's office allegedly showing VanCott taking two under-the-counter commercial refrigerators from the school on April 4.
'Surveillance video shows VanCott at the school on a Saturday loading one of the refrigerators onto a town truck and departing.
'VanCott then returned to the school in his personal pickup truck and loaded the second refrigerator into his own vehicle.
Investigators alleged that for years, VanCott would have workers slice deli meat for him once a week between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
'VanCott ordered cafeteria employees to slice two bags of deli turkey and one bag of ham, place them in a box inside the refrigerator with the initials 'PVC' written on them.
'Others reporter to investigators they witnessed VanCott take condiments, snacks, paper goods, coffee and other items from the kitchen.'
Prosecutors claimed VanCott purchased $8,300 worth of goods that were not in the schools storage facility, including a $1,700 refrigerate sandwich table and a $1,700 under-counter freezer.
On June 4, police executed a search warrant at the Snack Shake and located a 28-foot industrial-sized refrigerator, bins, government issued food, a coffee maker, blackboards and other ideas.
VanCott was arrested and charged with Larceny Over $1,200 by a Single Scheme and Larceny from a Building.
He pleaded not guilty and was ordered to held on $50,000 cash bail. His defense attorney argued the number was too high, reported WHDH.
'The value of the items alleged to be taken is far disconnected from the bail the commonwealth is asking for,' said defense attorney Evan Paul.
VanCott's next court appearance is scheduled for July 21.
