School Official and Food Executives Convicted in NYC School Cafeteria Bribery Scandal

Eric Goldstein, a senior Department of Education food official in New York City, has been convicted of conspiracy, extortion, wire fraud, and taking bribes after accepting tens of thousands of dollars and control of a food provider in exchange for allowing chicken tenders with bits of bone, plastic, and metal to be served in school cafeterias. The owners of the meat purveyor, Somma Food Group, were also convicted of conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery. The scheme, described as "choosing greed over the needs of our schools and the well-being of our children," involved a quid pro quo arrangement where Goldstein promoted Somma's interests in return for financial benefits.