According to a June 28^th release from the U. S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, Eric Goldstein, former CEO of the Department of Education Office of School Support Services, and three others were found guilty of bribery and conspiracy.  In his official position from 2008 through 2018, Goldstein steered school-related purchases of chicken to suppliers Somma Food Group and Range Meats Supply Company in which he had an undeclared interest.         

The prosecution alleged that product supplied to schools was of inferior quality and was contaminated with bone fragments.  Co-defendants, Blaine Iler, Michael Turley and Brian Twomey were co-owners of both supply companies.  Evidence presented identified Goldstein as coercing his co-defendants into donating equity in the companies and also providing a  substantial bribe to authorize resumption of supply following complaints over quality.  Chicken products were served at most of the 1,800 public schools in New York City during 20l6 and 2017.  Goldstein was dismissed as Chairman of the Urban School Food Alliance in 2018 after an investigation and was subsequently indicted along with his co-conspirators.