State Representative Bradley Fritts | RepFritts.com
State Representative Bradley Fritts | RepFritts.com
State Representative Bradley Fritts expressed his reaction to the commutation of Rita Crundwell's sentence for embezzlement in a Facebook post dated December 12. He said, "The people of Dixon were victimized by this woman, and she still owes money that she stole."
"To say I am outraged by the commutation of the sentence of Rita Crundwell is a great understatement, as Ms. Crundwell stole more than 50 million dollars from the good taxpaying citizens of the city of Dixon, violated the public's trust, and used the stolen money to live a lavish lifestyle," said Bradley J Fritts, according to Facebook. "After pardoning his own convicted felon son for crimes dating back more than ten years, President Biden doubled down on the corruption of his Presidency and lifted Crundwell's house arrest. The people of Dixon were victimized by this woman, and she still owes money that she stole. This is an unacceptable commutation."
On December 12, President Joe Biden granted clemency to 1,499 individuals convicted of non-violent crimes who had "shown successful rehabilitation and a strong commitment to making their communities safer," according to a press release from the White House. Among those granted clemency was Rita Crundwell, although the news release did not specify her crime.
Screenshot of State Rep. Bradley Fritts' Dec. 12 Facebook post
| State Representative Bradley Fritts' Facebook page
According to the Chicago Tribune, Crundwell admitted in 2012 to stealing $53.7 million from the City of Dixon over more than a decade. The funds were used for her quarter horse business and to support a lavish lifestyle. In 2013, she received a 20-year federal prison sentence. In 2020, she petitioned for compassionate release due to health concerns and the COVID-19 pandemic. "I have done everything in my power to be a ‘model inmate.’ To work as hard as I can and have never complained about my conditions here or the pay we receive. There is never a day that goes by, I do not regret my crime," said Crundwell in her petition. She was released to a halfway house in Downers Grove in 2021 and would have completed her sentence in 2028.
In addition to her prison sentence of 19 years and seven months, Crundwell was ordered to pay restitution. Her estate and assets were auctioned off, generating $9.2 million. According to a report on December 12, the City of Dixon recovered more than $30 million through settlements with insurance companies that failed to detect Crundwell’s thefts.
Fritts serves as the State Representative for District 74 since January 2023. A lifelong resident of Illinois, he also works as a substitute teacher and farms with his family when not in Springfield. He holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural and consumer economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.