BOSTON — The former director of food services for Plymouth Public Schools has been charged in connection with what prosecutors say was a yearslong scheme to steal food and kitchen equipment for use at the “Snack Shack,” a seasonal side business he operated on Sandy Neck Beach.
Patrick Van Cott, 64, of Sandwich, was charged with one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and two counts of wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. He is expected to make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to the charging document, Van Cott, who served as director of food services for Plymouth Public Schools from 2003 until June 2025, took food and commercial kitchen equipment purchased with school funds, including U.S. Department of Agriculture funds, to supply and operate the Snack Shack between 2014 and June 2025.
Federal prosecutors allege the equipment Van Cott ordered with school funds included two refrigerators valued at $2,200 each, 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.
Prosecutors also allege that, each summer beginning in about 2014, Van Cott took condiments, diced chicken, hot dogs, cooking oil, snacks, paper goods, coffee and other food products paid for by Plymouth Public Schools or supplied by the USDA, then used or sold those items at the Snack Shack.
In addition, Van Cott is accused of directing school cafeteria workers to slice at least nine pounds of deli turkey and 4.5 pounds of deli ham once or twice a week beginning in 2014 for menu items sold at the Snack Shack. Prosecutors further allege he ordered more than $3,000 in premium burger patties with school funds and sold them through the Snack Shack.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, the National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted USDA program that provides low-cost or free lunches to public school students. In Massachusetts, school meals are free for all students, with reimbursement coming through a combination of USDA and state funds.
The charge of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Each wire fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Ted E. Docks, and Special Agent in Charge of the USDA Office of Inspector General Charmeka Parker announced the charges. The Plymouth Police Department assisted in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions Unit is handling the case.
