Two weeks after granting a “full and unconditional” pardon to felon Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden has issued 39 pardons and grants to people released from prison and placed on home arrest during the pandemic. He granted amnesty consisting of 1,499 commutations of sentences. Among those whose sentences were commuted was disgraced former Dixon, Illinois auditor Rita Crundwell.
That didn't sit well with residents of the city where Biden's beneficiaries have been blindsided and robbed for decades.
Former Dixon Mayor Lee Arellano Jr. said he is “very disappointed…angry.”
said WREX TV. “Are you sure you're going to do this again?”
“This was an absolute blow to the city of Dixon,” said City Councilman Mike Benier.
Crundwell is
declared He was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in federal prison for stealing $53.7 million from Dixon in 2013.
The presiding judge said that in the process of stealing tens of millions of dollars from his fellow Americans, Mr. Crundwell caused significant non-monetary loss to the city, undermined the public's trust in local government, and that Mr. “We have struck at the core of his abilities.” It's the people. ”
Ministry of Justice
shown Crundwell allegedly opened a secret bank account in the city of Dixon's name in December 1990 and began the fraud scheme. She repeatedly transferred city funds from the capital development account to a rapidly growing slush fund, burning through $181,000 in 1991. In the end, she received an average of about $2.5 million a year from the city during the 20-year plan period.
Crundwell reportedly told the city that chronic underfunding was a result of the economic downturn and even accused the state of Illinois of not paying its fair share. Crundwell was stealing so much from the people of Dixon that the city had to cut its budget, negatively impacting operations.
“Commuting her 20-year sentence is a slap in the face.”
When Ms. Crundwell went on sabbatical in 2011, another city employee requested all of Mr. Dixon's bank statements, exposing the secret accounts. The mayor learned of the misconduct and reported it to the relevant authorities.
Around the time she pleaded guilty, Dixon resident Joyce Gibson.
said CBS News, “It caused a lot of confusion, a lot of hard feelings, a lot of blame.”
Another resident, Jeff Kuhn, said, “I personally would like to see some sign of remorse, but I haven't seen any.''
Crundwell was supposed to rot in prison until at least October 20, 2029, but
reportedly She petitioned for early release in April 2020, citing declining health. All members of the city government and community members demanded that the prison deny her petition.
Despite committing what is considered the largest theft of public funds in Illinois history, spending tax money on over 400 horses. Over 48 trucks. Luxury camper. classic car. boat. 80 acres of land in Lee County. jewelry; personal credit cards; Business expenses. She had furnished at least three homes, including a vacation home in Florida. She was released in August 2021 under the CARES Act, which allowed convicts at high risk for COVID-19 to be transferred to house arrest.
Biden seemed to think house arrest was too harsh for a woman who betrayed and weakened the city, so he commuted the rest of her sentence, rubbing salt into an old wound.
“There have been sacrifices, really deep sacrifices, made in this community for 20 to 30 years for this. For the people of Dixon, this is very personal,” Arellano told WREX. ..This should be a time for us to take stock of our successes.” The first year we talked about growth and progress, and now we're talking about why the woman who committed the largest local fraud in American history is on the streets. ”
“This is hard to swallow. This is a woman who was highly trusted throughout our community and who stole $54 million from the people who trusted her with a smile for over 20 years.” spoke. Venier. “She still owes us over $50 million. The day she comes to City Hall with a certified check for $50 million… maybe we'll have a softer understanding of the whole situation.” But until that day, she will never know. Be innocent.”
“While many in Dixon's family lived paycheck to paycheck, she used her trust in the government to live a life of luxury with unearned income, which the FBI said was the largest in U.S. history.” “I still believe it was a theft of public funds,” said Republican Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood.
said In a statement. “Commuting her 20-year sentence is a blow to our hardworking police officers, firefighters, city employees, and all Dixon residents.”
Congressman Eric Sorensen (D-Illinois)
noticed on X: “Her case remains the largest local fraud case in American history. It would be too much for her to walk out of Scotland free today.”
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