NW Illinois News

Dixon mayor Liandro Arellano Jr.  is critical of the federal prison system’s decision to release the city’s ex-comptroller, Rita Crundwell, who stole millions from taxpayers.

“Crundwell did not even serve half her term,” Arellano told NW Illinois News. "In a state filled with corruption, this undermines the strong deterrent message that was sent when the judge sentenced her to almost the entire max 20 year sentence. It also destroys the sense of justice that Dixon residents had when she received that sentence.”

Crundwell, 68, embezzled nearly $54 million from 1990-2012 and used much of the money to build a  horse-breeding business, the Chicago Sun Times reported. She was the subject of a documentary, “All the Queen’s Horses.”

A federal judge in 2013 sentenced her to serve 19 years, 7 months in prison, the newspaper said.

Crundwell was released this month to a halfway house in Downer’s Grove. Last spring she sought early release because of her health and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sun Times said.

“She needs to be returned to prison to serve out the at least 85% of her term, which is what the federal minimum was at sentencing,” Arellanosaid. “COVID is no excuse to undermine the fight against corruption in Illinois. We are working with our legislators to determine if the warden, who apparently made this decision, has the power to correct this injustice.”

According to Jason Wojdylo, former U.S. Marshal who helped sell off Crundwell’s assets, including 400 horses, after she went to prison, said she was granted a “compassionate release” the Sun Times reported.

 Dixon has been able to recover about $40 million of the stolen money, the mayor said.

“The new councilors and I have reformed city government and implemented new spending controls while paying down debt,” Arellano said. “We’re proud of how our community has fought back, but it is better for cities to implement reforms before fraud happens. Residents should stay vigilant and involved, and transparency is critical.”