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Home   >   News   >   Regional News   >   Crundwell Pleads Guilty; Free Pending Sentencing

Crundwell Pleads Guilty; Free Pending Sentencing

By on November 14, 2012

(AP)  FORMER DIXON COMPTROLLER RITA CRUNDWELL FACES UP TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON WHEN SHE IS SENTENCED FEB. 14.

CRUNDWELL CHANGED HER PLEA TO GUILTY WEDNESDAY IN A FEDERAL CASE ACCUSING HER OF STEALING $53 MILLION FROM THE SMALL NORTHERN ILLINOIS CITY THAT FORMER PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN CALLED HIS BOYHOOD HOME.  PROSECUTORS SAY SHE USED THE MONEY TO FUND A LAVISH LIFESTYLE AND HORSE-BREEDING OPERATION.

MANDATORY RESTITUTION OF THE ENTIRE $53 MILLION IS PART OF CRUNDWELL’S PLEA AGREEMENT.  SHE ALSO COULD BE FINED UP TO $250,000.  FEDERAL OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE SELLING CRUNDWELL’S ASSETS BUT DON’T THINK THEY WILL RAISE THE ENTIRE $53 MILLION.

CRUNDWELL WILL REMAIN FREE PENDING SENTENCING.