Indictment: Dixon finance chief stole $53 million since 1990

Indictment: Dixon finance chief stole $53 million since 1990


Staff report
3:43 PM CDT, May 1, 2012


The former comptroller of Dixon has been indicted on charges of defrauding the city of more than $53 million since 1990, almost doubling the amount authorities initially estimated she stole.

Prosecutors had previously accused Rita A. Crundwel with misappropriating more than $30 million since 2006. Crundwell used the money to finance a lavish lifestyle and her champion horse-breeding business, prosecutors allege.

Crundwell had been chief financial officer for Dixon since the early 1980s until she was fired last month in the wake of the allegations.

Prosecutors also filed a civil lawsuit today alleging that 311 quarter horses owned by Crundwell are subject to forfeiture because she purchased or maintained them with money stolen from the city.

The government said it plans to sell the horses and give the proceeds to Dixon as part of the restitution.

Crundwell owns RC Quarter Horses, and keeps her horses at her ranch on Red Brick Road in Dixon and at the Meri-J Ranch in Beloit, Wis., as well as with trainers across the country, according to prosecutors. In addition to 311 registered quarter horses, dozens of foals are expected to be born this spring, they said.

As part of the civil lawsuit, the government requested a restraining order to allow it to take over care of the horses. The U.S. Marshal's Service is expected to hire a contractor to manage the horses.

In addition, the indictment seeks criminal forfeiture of two homes and the horse farm in Dixon, a home in Englewood, Fla., a $2.1 million luxury motor home, more than a dozen trucks, trailers and other motorized farm vehicles, a 2005 Ford Thunderbird convertible, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette roadster, a pontoon boat, approximately $224,898 in cash from two bank accounts, and other assets allegedly purchased with fraud proceeds.

Crundwell opened a bank account in the name of the city of Dixon on Dec. 18, 1990, according to the indictment. Between then and April 2012, Crundwell used her position as comptroller to repeatedly transfer city funds into the account for personal use.

Crundwell allegedly created phony invoices purportedly from the state of Illinois showing that the funds were actually being used for a legitimate purpose.


http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-indictment-dixon-finance-chief-stole-53-million-since-1990-20120501,0,5768887.story

Editor's note: Your ProbateShark will bet the our own Probate Court of Cook County thieves can steal 58 million in one year from the dead, dying, diabled and aged. Lucius Verenus, Schoolmaster, ProbateSharks.com