The judge ordered agreed restitution to the city of Dixon totaling $53,740,394, and he imposed an agreed forfeiture judgment in the same amount. In addition to the financial loss, he found that Crundwell caused a significant non-monetary loss, which involved a loss of public confidence in local government and a significant disruption of government function that struck “at the very heart of Dixon’s abilities to provide essentials for its citizenry.” Judge Reinhard granted the government’s request for an upward variance in the federal sentencing guidelines. Crundwell’s “conduct in continuing to take millions of dollars from the City of Dixon to support her lavish lifestyle while she knew that Dixon was in dire financial straits was especially egregious,” the government argued.Ĭrundwell must serve at least 85 percent of her 235-month sentence and there is no parole in the federal prison system. Attorney Joseph Pedersen told the judge during a sentencing hearing that lasted more than two hours today. “While the city was suffering, the defendant was living her dreams,” Assistant U.S. Crundwell showed “greater passion for the welfare of her horses than the people of Dixon who she represented,” he added. “This has been a massive stealing of public money – monies entrusted to you as a public guardian of Dixon, Ill.,” Judge Reinhard said in imposing sentence. It is believed to be the largest theft of public funds in state history. 14, 2012, to wire fraud, and agreed she also engaged in money laundering, in connection with stealing more than $53 million from the city since 1990 and using the proceeds to finance her quarter horse farming business and life of luxury. Reinhard in Federal Court in Rockford.Ĭrundwell, 60, formerly of Dixon, pleaded guilty on Nov. Crundwell was taken into custody to immediately begin her sentence, which was imposed by U.S. CRUNDWELL, was sentenced today to 19 years and 7 months, nearly the 20-year maximum, in federal prison for stealing $53.7 million from the city over two decades. ROCKFORD - The former comptroller of the City of Dixon, Ill., RITA A.
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