Patrick Van Cott, Food Service Theft, Massachusetts 2026

Plymouth Public Schools Director Pleads Guilty to Food Service Theft and Wire Fraud

BOSTON - Former Director of Plymouth Public Schools' Food Services program, Patrick Van Cott, pleaded guilty to a long-running fraud scheme in federal court in Boston. The scheme began in 2014, where he allegedly stole food and commercial kitchen equipment for use and sale at his private business, the 'Snack Shack' on Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable, Mass.

According to the investigation, Patrick Van Cott, 64, of Sandwich, Mass., pleaded guilty to one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and two counts of wire fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick scheduled sentencing for August 19, 2026.

Van Cott was the Director of Food Services for the Plymouth Public Schools from 2003 until June 2025. He operated a seasonal business, the 'Snack Shack,' on Sandy Neck Beach during the summers. The investigation revealed that he defrauded the Plymouth Public Schools by taking food and equipment purchased with funds, including U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds, and using it to run the Snack Shack.

The equipment Van Cott ordered with school funds included two $2,200 refrigerators; a $3,950 two-door freezer; two 12-inch hot plates; a 24-inch griddle; a chargrill; a fryolator; shelving; a sandwich prep table; a convection oven; and hanging chalk boards. He also collected condiments, diced chicken, hot dogs, cooking oil, snacks, paper goods, coffee, food products, and other miscellaneous items paid for by the Plymouth Public Schools or supplied by the USDA, then used and sold those items at the Snack Shack.

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted program administered on the federal level by the USDA that provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to public school children. In Massachusetts, meals for all students are free, and schools are reimbursed for meals through a combination of USDA funds and state funds.

The charge of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.

Valuable assistance was provided by the Plymouth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant: Patrick Van Cott, Exact Criminal Charges: One count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and two counts of wire fraud, City and State: Boston, Massachusetts, Exact Date: April 2026 (charged), Sentence: Sentencing scheduled for August 19, 2026, Dollar Amounts: $2,200 (refrigerators), $3,950 (two-door freezer), $3,000 (premium burger patties), Fine: $250,000 (theft concerning programs receiving federal funds), Fine: $250,000 (wire fraud).

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/former-director-food-services-plymouth-public-schools-pleads-guilty-stealing-food-and