Dixon's Comptroller Arrested--Charged with Misappropriating $30Million
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Updated: 10:32 PM Apr 17, 2012
The Comptroller for the City of Dixon was arrested today by FBI agents on a federal charge for allegedly defrauding the City of Dixon of more than $3.2 million in public funds since just last fall and more than $30 million since 2006.
DIXON (WIFR) -- The Comptroller for the City of Dixon was arrested today by FBI agents on a federal charge for allegedly defrauding the City of Dixon of more than $3.2 million in public funds since just last fall and more than $30 million since 2006.
58-year-old Rita Crundwell has been Dixon's comptroller since the early 80's. She's well known in the community and breeds world champion horses on her ranch; someone most people couldn't imagine embezzling $30 million dollars.
"I was dumbfounded, I was speechless (when I found out)," said Dixon resident Amy Jones.
But that's exactly what the FBI says she did. She's accused of stealing more than three million dollars of taxpayer money in just the last few months and more than $30 million since 2006.
Crundwell was arrested at city hall this morning, where FBI agents gathered evidence most of the day. Mayor James Burke reported Crundwell to authorities in the Fall.
FBI agents wouldn't comment today on the complaint they received from Burke. But the complaint says in October, while Crundwell was on vacation, a Dixon city employee discovered an unknown bank account, one Crundwell allegedly used for her personal life.
Dixon resident Christopher Ray said, "It's disheartening, I mean taxpayers they work hard for what they do."
The FBI says Crundwell bought a $2 million motor home, a horse trailer and paid off $2.5 million on her credit card. They say she also bought at least 11 vehicles. It's something that even surprised Dixon police.
Dixon Police Chief Dan Langloss said, "I just became aware of this this morning from the FBI. Those are all things that are being looked into, and the mayor will have the answers and will be speaking to the city."
Mayor Burke will answer questions tomorrow at Dixon City Hall.
Crundwell was in federal court in Rockford today, where two U.S. marshals escorted her into the room in handcuffs. However the bond hearing was continued until tomorrow.
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The Dixon City Council is meeting in executive session tonight to discuss the charges against their comptroller--the mayor, Jim Burke, will hold a news conference tomorrow at 10 am. 23 News Reporter Lauren Kravets is in Dixon and will have an updated report for you tonight.
DIXON (WIFR) -- A Dixon city official is in jail tonight for fraud after allegedly embezzling 30-million dollars.
The comptroller, 58-year-old Rita Crundwell, was arrested by FBI agents in Dixon just hours ago today.
She's been the comptroller since the early 1980s. She’s accused of taking more than, three million dollars in public funds since the fall and more than 30 million dollars since 2006. The Department of Justice says she used that money for a personal horses breading business and to buy a motor home, jewelry, and vehicles.
In fact today, agents seized; ten trucks and trailers and a thunder bird convertible. 23 News attended Crundwell's bond hearing in federal court today--that's where two U.S. Marshals escorted her in handcuffs. However, the assistant U.S. attorney asked for a continuance, she will be in court tomorrow.
Dixon Mayor James Burke reported Crundwell to authorities last fall after a city employee discovered another account.
That's the account Crundwell allegedly used to misappropriate city money. |
