That's been our focus over these last years, and we're really happy to get to the place where Dixon is starting to be known for things that are not Rita Crundwell," Arellano said. Since then reforms have changed city government and ushered in more transparency. "Go find somewhere else to live that's not Dixon, you're not welcome," said Dixon resident Lori Bennett. "I paid good money for this property it's no longer hers."Īs of Thursday morning, the convicted embezzler is either on home confinement or at a residential reentry center. Hit the road," said Rick Humphrey, Crundwell's Nephew. "It's my property - has nothing to do with Rita Crundwell. Her nephew, who bought it at auction, was confrontational when we started shooting video of the property. Some in Dixon wondered if she might stay with family, perhaps on the farm she once owned. "Over the course of 10 to 20 years, there would have been new businesses coming in as you build out road infrastructure, water, sewer, so really, Dixon lost over $100 million between the public money that she stole and in the private money that would have followed that as investments," Arellano said. Born Rita Humphrey, the daughter of Ray and Caroline Humphrey, Crundwell grew up on her familys farm near Dixon a smart and popular student. The reason for the early release was not disclosed.He believes Crundwell might have pivoted, seeking her release through the prison system rather than the judicial system.Ĭity leaders said they recovered about $40 million after legal fees, and are now in a much better place, but the long term Crundwell crime impact remains a scar. Many of the horses found success for new owners across the country and are still competing today. Quarter Horse breeding farm Large ranch in Dixon Several family residences, including one in Florida. Marshal Service sold her prized herd of horses in a public auction in September of 2012. Lavish life style on a 80,000 annual salary. Kelly Richmond Pope: Her family showed horses, and she had this hobby. Dixonites are still dealing with the social and financial aftermath of the damage she did, and our community deserved notice of and reasoning for this decision.”Ĭrundwell’s assets were seized and the U.S. Rita Crundwell put her struggling small town of Dixon, Illinois, in the spotlight. Born Rita Humphrey, the daughter of Ray and Caroline Humphrey, she grew up on her familys farm near Dixon and in 1970, a. The City of Dixon issued a letter opposing the motion and Crundwell eventually withdrew her request.ĭixon Mayor Liandro Arellano expressed his frustration saying in press release, “It is incredibly frustrating that Dixon was given no victim notification of Rita Crundwell’s release. Horses from her RC Quarter Horses program had earned 52 World Championships, countless Quarter Horse Congress Championships and too many National Snaffle Bit Association and AQHA High-Point titles to count.Ĭrundwell petitioned a federal judge for early release three months ago citing her “deteriorating health condition” and the COVID-19 pandemic. 20, 2029.Ĭrundwell had been a force in the show arena- the American Quarter Horse Association’s leading owner for eight straight years. to my family and my friends, Crundwell said in court, her voice quivering. She was to serve 85% of her sentence and was scheduled to be released on Oct. District Judge Philip Reinhard told Rita Crundwell. former dixon comptroller rita crundwell sentenced to nearly 20 years in federal prison for million theft from city attorneys northern district of illinois. File photo/Alex Garcia/Chicago Tribune/MCT (c) 2014 Chicago Tribuneįormer Dixon, Illinois comptroller Rita Crundwell, convicted of embezzling $53.7 million from the city to fund her Quarter Horse operation, has been released from a federal prison.Ĭrundwell was sentenced by a federal judge in 2013 to 19 years, 7 months in federal prison, in the largest case of municipal fraud in American history.
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