⏱ 3 min read
A brazen scam that lasted over a decade has landed a former Plymouth Public Schools executive in hot water. Patrick Van Cott, the former Director of Food Services, allegedly stole food and commercial kitchen equipment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars meant for the schools to fuel his side business, the Snack Shack on Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable.
Van Cott, 64, operated the Snack Shack while working for the schools from 2003 until June 2025. He allegedly ordered equipment and supplies with public funds, including two $2,200 refrigerators and a $3,950 freezer, and then used them to run his private business.
It’s a shocking case of public corruption, with Van Cott allegedly using schools’ resources to line his own pockets. He’s charged with one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and two counts of wire fraud.
Van Cott’s scheme is a stark reminder of the need for accountability in public institutions. The USDA funds meant for the schools were meant to feed students, not line the pockets of corrupt officials.
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📋 Key Facts
- Crime: White Collar Crime
- Defendant: Fraud
- Location: MA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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