A new federal indictment alleges former Dixon, Illinois comptroller Rita Crundwell took more than $53 million from the town since 1990.
Crundwell was previously charged with misappropriating more than $30 million from the city of Dixon since 2006. The indictment expands the accusation to include more than $53 million taken in more than two decades.
Crundwell was arrested April 17. She was released on her own recognizance the next day.
The May 1, 2012 indictment says Crundwell used the money to finance her “lavish lifestyle” including support for her horse breeding business.
In a separate civil action, the United States is seeking to get possession of 311 quarter horses owned by Crundwell so the horses can be sold and the proceeds applied to the money lost by the City of Dixon. The U.S. alleges the horses in question were purchased with criminal fraud proceeds.
Crundwell, 59, is charged with one count of wire fraud in the May 1 indictment. She is scheduled to be arraigned May 7, 2012 in U.S. District Court in Rockford, Illinois.
