wtf??? City official stole 53 million dollars of municipal funds over 20 years (small town)

[cali]

How could this happen? And she's free until her sentencing.

Strapped for cash, the city of Dixon closed its pool for the past few summers, unaware it had already paid for the in-ground pool and hot tub that city Treasurer Rita Crundwell had built at her sprawling house on a 6-acre lot.

While construction stalled on road improvements around this small northwestern Illinois city because of the budget crisis, Crundwell lavished her home with custom Western-themed furniture, high-end appliances and numerous big-screen TVs.

"Money was not spared in constructing and completing it," Jason Wojdylo of the U.S. Marshals Service said Friday shortly before leading more than a dozen reporters, photographers and videographers on a tour of the residence.

Two online auctions of Crundwell's personal belongings — including from another residence in Florida — are scheduled to wrap up by Saturday as federal authorities try to recover some of the staggering losses inflicted by Dixon's longtime treasurer and comptroller. Crundwell, 59, pleaded guilty last month to stealing more than $53 million over 22 years.

<snip>

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-dixon-comptroller-auction-20121208,0,4778547.story

[Panasonic]

1. Not surprising since it's RR's home

and the massive number of Rethugs stealing from one another is probably the norm.

[cali]

2. she was appointed by democrats

and btw, my tiny village of 3,000 people which invariably votes dem and for Bernie, was the victim of a similar crime. The manager of the town electric company stole 3 million over 20 years. this has jack shit to do with republican/democrat.

[cherokeeprogressive]

7. Come on cali... EVERYONE knows Dems don't steal...

They only appropriate.

If there's something left over, shouldn't they be entitled to it? Their INTENTIONS were good (wink). Isn't that all that counts?

[madrchsod]

11. actually dixon has become more liberal in the recent years..

a long term democratic mayor and our first openly gay council member. living here for 65 years i never thought dixon could become more liberal but it has..whether it likes it or not.

[Panasonic]

15. For the love of Gawd, please have them begin tearing down RR crap.

Please.

He's not even worthy.

[elehhhhna]

13. so fitting

[Initech]

3. Same old story: the thieves don't do anything creative with their money. They just accumulate.

[Tutonic]

4. You have got to buy aa hell of a lot of big-screen tvs, appliances and western themed

furniture to rack up 53 million. Also waht is western themed furniture? a saddle chair? A horse hair bed? ????

[AnotherMcIntosh]

6. She bought and sold show horses. Expensive ones.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

5. This is old news.

[onethatcares]

8. I like the chandelier

with the pistols pointing outwards and spurs, along with the bucking bronco love seat in her bedroom.

I'm more amazed that people actually make that kind of stuff. It must be a whole cottage industry cause I've never seen anything like it at the local walmart

[madrchsod]

9. i live in dixon....

some years back the city`s republican council decided that there was`t a need for three workers in the treasures office so they fired one of the workers. this gave crundwell the key to the treasury. no one noticed until she was gone a couple of weeks longer than planned and a temp replacement started wondering what a certain account was. we are not very happy about this because it has cost our city close to 1.3 million dollars every year she was the office.

[FarCenter]

14. Anyone who handles money should be required to take two solid week's vacation every year

It is standard at banks, for example.

[jsr]

10. She should never see daylight again.

Last edited Sat Dec 8, 2012, 11:12 AM - Edit history (1)

[Corgigal]

12. Shes been working there for 22 years

and no one stopped by her home? Everyone knows that cities/counties/state agencies don't pay anyone enough to own 400 horses.

[muriel_volestrangler]

16. About 15,000 people?

How did no-one notice what must have been a big part of their budget going missing, year after year?

[Stuart G]

17. Republicans steal, Democrats steal, men and women steal.

If they are dishonest, they steal. period.. Many are honest..many are not honest.