Maggots found in DNC breakfast trigger probe, FBI checking if it was intentional

Maggots found at the Democratic National Convention breakfast on Wednesday have sent officials scrambling for answers. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Chicago police are investigating whether they were intentionally slipped into the food being served to the delegates at the Fairmont Hotel.

It is not known whether anyone ate the infested food before the discovery was made. Chicago police officers and Illinois state troopers were seen in the lobby of the hotel near meeting rooms.

“We can confirm that a group of individuals caused a disruption at a DNC-related breakfast event at our hotel this morning,” Fairmont Chicago hotel spokesperson Haley Robles told WGN Investigates.

Officials said that several women were spotted entering the hotel around 6:45 am. They reportedly put some "unknown objects" on the table where the food was placed.

“We were all coming down to breakfast, and there were these two women who had hidden themselves in the bathroom,” Indiana delegate Karen Tallian told USA Today. “And they ran out and threw maggots into the breakfast buffet.”

According to a schedule of convention events, breakfasts for delegates attending the convention are served at various hotels in Chicago, which starts at 7 am and goes on till 9:30 am.

Indiana delegate Tracy Boyd said that her group was informed by the hotel staff that breakfast would be slightly delayed. “They protected us, of course, and turned it around in minutes,” she said.

Maggots part of protest?

The maggots were reportedly placed in a show of some kind of protest, law enforcement officials said. However, delegates agree that such "ugly attacks" are uncalled for.

“All Americans have the right to peaceful protest, but ugly attacks like this have no place in our democracy,” said Indiana Democratic Party spokesperson Sam Barloga.

Delegates from Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Missouri and South Dakota are staying at the Fairmont Hotel.

A similar stunt was pulled by activists last month at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was staying. Videos showed mealworms and maggots crawling on banquet tables at the hotel.