CliftonLarsonAllen Settles with Dixon for $36 Million Over Crundwell Fraud
In addition to CLA coughing up their share, Fifth Third Bank will pay $3 million, and the city's auditor Sam Card will pay $1 million for a nice round sum of $40 million total, according to Saukvalley.com. CLA provided us with a statement from CEO Gordon Viere: The allegations of fraud committed by City of Dixon Comptroller […]
It Looks Like Clifton Gunderson Knew About Rita Crundwell’s Secret Bank Account
Everyone remember Rita Crundwell? She's the horse lady that gave Dixon, Illinois a long face when it was discovered that she had been helping herself to the city's money. About $53 million or so over a couple of decades. That's not Madoff, Stanford, or Petters money, but it's not exactly a small sum. Last summer Dixon […]
Rita Crundwell to Appear in Federal Court Tomorrow with a Long Face
With the ponies, RV, and Thunderbird all gone, the ex-Dixon, Illinois comptroller must have figured that the jig was up: Former Dixon comptroller Rita Crundwell plans to plead guilty Wednesday to a federal fraud charge that alleges she siphoned more than $53 million from the small northwestern Illinois city’s coffers, according to the U.S. Attorney's […]
Is There Any Subtle Indication of the Dixon Fraud in the Names of Rita Crundwell’s Horses?
The Associated Press reports that some property of alleged Dixon, Illinois sticky fingers Rita Crundwell will be put up for sale. The property includes her four homes in Illinois, a home in Florida, and a $2.1 million motorhome. So if you're in the market for a place in the Illinois countryside or in a state […]
Dixon, Illinois Finds Itself in a Bit of Pinch Since, Ya Know, $53 Million Went Missing
Accordingly, Dixon Mayor Jim Burke is putting the brakes on any investigation because "[it] would cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars" and the woman who had the magic credit card is in a bit of trouble. Hey, someone had to apply the tourniquet after the city bled out. [WAND]
Oh Look, the Dixon, Illinois Fraud Is Way Bigger Than Everyone Thought
How big? In the neighborhood of $53 million, according to the indictment. Earlier reports had put it closer to $30 million and change. It further alleges that Rita Crundwell stated the scheme in December of 1990 and was "[creating] fictitious invoices purported to be from the State of the Illinois to show the auditors for […]
Here’s an Ominous Statement a Former Dixon City Finance Commissioner Made About Accused Embezzler Rita Crundwell
Crundwell reported to the city's finance commissioner, a member of the City Council, but the mayor declined to comment on whether that current commissioner, David Blackburn, or former Commissioner Roy Bridgeman should have detected the alleged thefts. As Bridgeman left office last year, he praised Crundwell for being an asset to the city and said […]
Dixon, Illinois City Commissioners Beat a Dead Horse After CFO’s Arrest
Last week we learned that the CFO/comptroller/treasurer for the city of Dixon, Illinois, Rita Crundwell, was arrested for allegedly stealing $30,236,503 and 51¢. She also stands accused, in the court of public opinion, of having awful taste in automobiles, as federal agents seized a Ford Thunderbird upon her arrest. Regardless, these allegations came as a surprise […]
Somehow the City of Dixon, Illinois Just Noticed That $30 Million Was Missing
Rita Crundwell has been the CFO/comptroller of Dixon, Illinois since the 1980s; a typical tenure for even an unelected Illinois official. In those 30-ish years, it appears that she performed her duties adequately enough, but she was just put on unpaid leave. You see, at some point in 2006, it is alleged that Ms. Crundwell […]