DIXON - The U.S. Department of Justice thinks former city worker Rita Crundwell took $53 million instead of $30 million.
"What could be different in Dixon if the money was there," Dixon resident Jana Halfacre said.
Crundwell was indicted for allegedly taking $53 million since 1990. The bank account where Crundwell allegedly stole the money is just two blocks from city hall. Crundwell allegedly hid the money in a secret bank account at Fifth Third Bank on Galena Avenue.
"She did all her own personal financing at that bank," Dixon Mayor Jim Burke said. "She had a lot of city business at that bank."
Crundwell would allegedly pick up the city's mail every day as well. That way, she could intercept bank statements that were headed to city hall. That way, no other city officials could find out about the scheme.
"It's kind of mind boggling that it went all these years and was caught by nobody," Burke said.
So now locals are wondering who else could have been involved in the scheme. The U.S. Department of Justice also wants Crundwell to give up a home she allegedly bought in Florida with the $53 million. Crundwell will appear in court again in Rockford on May 7th.