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Ex-Dixon comptroller pleads guilty in $53 million scam

MaggieD

MaggieD

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A former longtime treasurer of Dixon pleaded guilty today to fraud in federal court in Rockford for stealing $53 million from the coffers of the small northwestern Illinois city over two decades.

Rita Crundwell will remain free on her own recognizance until her sentencing on Feb. 14.

When asked her plea to the one count of wire fraud, Crundwell responded quietly, “Guilty.” Crundwell admitted to stealing the $53 million since 1990 and using the money to finance her championship quarter-horse business and a lavish lifestyle.

As part of her guilty plea, she also admitted she engaged in illegal money laundering. Under federal sentencing guidelines, prosecutors believe Crundwell faces up to 19 ½ years in prison, while Crundwell’s lawyers contend she faces no more than 15 ½ years.
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Dixon, Illinois population: 15,511

This fraud took place over the last 12 years. Every single one of the village trustees should go to freakin' jail. $53 million from a town with a population of 15,511.

God!!! I love living in Illinois!!

Ex-Dixon comptroller pleads guilty in $53 million scam - chicagotribune.com

Do you believe that, at the very​ least!!! Gross negligence was going on with the rest of the town officials? How could this possibly happen?
 
MaggieD said:
Dixon, Illinois population: 15,511

This fraud took place over the last 12 years. Every single one of the village trustees should go to freakin' jail. $53 million from a town with a population of 15,511.

God!!! I love living in Illinois!!

Ex-Dixon comptroller pleads guilty in $53 million scam - chicagotribune.com

Do you believe that, at the very​ least!!! Gross negligence was going on with the rest of the town officials? How could this possibly happen?
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Not in Illinois! Say it ain't so. How could this ever happen in Illinois? :lamo

Does the Illinois State Penal System have prison with a wing for convicted public officials?
 
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Risky Thicket said:
Not in Illinois! Say it ain't so. How could this every happen in Illinois? :lamo

Does the Illinois State Penal System have prison with a wing for convicted public officials?
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What amazes me is that he pled guilty. :lol:
 
It is probably easier than you would imagine. My city which is about 5 times that size was rushing to close some schools to cover a budget shortfall until they discovered they had an account with several million dollars in it that was not in the budget per se where payments from a bunch of development loans were wired into it and they had just forgotten the account existed and apparently never really paid much attention to whether the loans were even being paid.

I have also read stories of towns where some little old lady and a part-time assistant or two were in charge of all the money and they just had boxes and boxes of uncashed property tax checks for several years sitting around because they were too understaffed to process them. Makes you wonder how they stayed afloat.
 
lizzie said:
What amazes me is that he pled guilty. :lol:
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She really had to -- she had a professional horse farm with 450+ thoroughbred horses. I mean, how would one explain THAT??

And how DID she explain it for the last 12 years? Honest to God . . .
 
MaggieD said:
She really had to -- she had a professional horse farm with 450+ thoroughbred horses. I mean, how would one explain THAT??

And how DID she explain it for the last 12 years? Honest to God . . .
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When people who are really into money get access, it's like any other addiction, whether it be drugs, alcohol, or gambling. They don't think rationally, and they don't make sound decisions. Money is like a drug for some people, and gamblers like to play the odds for the challenge. Depending on who really knew her, she may not have needed to explain anything to anyone who could or would blow the whistle. Eventually, like any other addiction, it catches up to you in one way or the other.
 
lizzie said:
OMG- don't tell the typing police that I missed a key. ;)
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Oh no, I'm gonna tell them first chance I get.
Well, as soon as I find out who "them" is.
 
what's the big deal? Illinois is the state that has CHICAGO STYLE POLITICS....she might go to jail, but she won't be the only Illinois politician there....
 
MaggieD said:
Dixon, Illinois population: 15,511

This fraud took place over the last 12 years. Every single one of the village trustees should go to freakin' jail. $53 million from a town with a population of 15,511.

God!!! I love living in Illinois!!

Ex-Dixon comptroller pleads guilty in $53 million scam - chicagotribune.com

Do you believe that, at the very​ least!!! Gross negligence was going on with the rest of the town officials? How could this possibly happen?
Click to expand...

It's Chicago politics, no one goes to jail.
 
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