🚀 go-pugleaf

On the same day that the Illinois state Senate approves same-sex 
marriage, a former bookkeeper for the cash-stripped town of 
Dixon is sentenced to 20 years in prison after embezzling $53 
million into her own pockets.

One door opens, another one closes.

How did Rita Crundwell get away with what authorities have 
called the largest municipal fraud in the country�s history?

According to prosecutors, Crundwell was able to pull off this 
scheme for over 20 years by creating phony invoices for bogus 
services and supplies. She also used the city�s funds to pay her 
bills, which was wire transferred directly into a private bank 
account she had set up.

For more than two decades Crundwell has been living a lavish 
lifestyle with no concern for the townspeople. Before she was 
actually caught, her ploy left Dixon city employees with no 
raises, old equipment never got replaced and the city�s 
infrastructure was crumbling.  Agency head, Michael Stichter, 
recounted how Crundwell rejected his requests for equipment and 
told him, �If you knew where a money tree was, I�d be willing to 
get you a dump truck.�

This �fiscal crisis� she carefully crafted allowed her to run 
two horse farms that produced 52 world champions (she was 
apparently one of the greatest horse owners anybody has heard 
of), a $2 million motor home, luxurious cars and over $340,000 
in jewelry.

It wasn�t until she took a lengthy vacation back in 2011 that 
her fraudulent behavior was uncovered. While she was out of the 
office, her replacement stumbled upon some receipts showing 
irregularities in the city�s accounts amounting to $267,000 in 
withdrawals for the month of September.

Once Mayor James Burke found out that none of the withdrawals 
she made were for city business, the FBI was brought in.

But they didn�t pounce on her right away. They let her keep on 
playing her little game.

After the FBI was informed, they quietly watched her for half a 
year as she took at least $3.2 million from the city, according 
to prosecutors.

On April 17, when Burke called her into his office, three FBI 
agents were waiting for her.

�These three gentlemen here would like to ask you some 
questions,�� Burke said. And that was the last time he spoke 
with her. �I remember looking at the expression on her face and 
it never changed.�

Apparently, Crundwell always waltzed around town all rainbows 
and butterflies � the nicest woman around. Now the entire world 
knows why.

Last year, she pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with 
the scheme and although her lawyer asked for a more lenient 
sentence, the judge wasn�t having it.

�You have much better passion for your horses than the people of 
Dixon who you were supposed to represent,� said US District 
Judge Philip Reinhard.

Crundwell still faces around 60 state charges of felony theft, 
each of which carries a potential sentence of up to 30 years in 
prison on conviction.

http://firsttoknow.com/woman-sentenced-to-20-years-after-
embezzling-53-million-from-illinois-
town/?utm_source=o_fo&utm_campaign=woman-sentenced-to-20-ye-22851

--
Are you obligated as an armed civilian, to defend unarmed 
liberals while you are both under fire by foreign agents of the 
outlaw Obama administration?

No.  Shoot the liberals immediately so they can't stab you in 
the back while you are defending yourself, then return a 
controlled rate of aimed fire.  ��

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