Dixon Community Reacts to Rita Crundwell’s Clemency: “She Will Never Be Innocent”

Dixon Community’s Outrage Over Rita Crundwell’s Clemency

The quiet town of Dixon, Illinois, is in turmoil after President Biden commuted the sentence of Rita Crundwell, the woman responsible for embezzling a staggering $53 million from the city. Crundwell, a former city comptroller, was initially sentenced to nearly 20 years in federal prison for one of the largest municipal frauds in U.S. history. However, her release earlier this week has reignited anger and frustration among the residents who have never fully recovered from the financial devastation she caused.

Crundwell’s Clemency Sparks Immediate Reactions

In a move that has left the people of Dixon shocked and furious, Crundwell's sentence was commuted as part of a larger effort by President Biden to grant clemency to over 1,500 individuals. This decision comes just weeks after the president pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, on federal tax and gun charges. Many in Dixon feel betrayed, with local officials and residents expressing deep disappointment.

"I’m very disappointed… angry," said Li Arellano Jr., the former mayor of Dixon. He, along with many others in the town, feels that the move is a slap in the face to the victims of Crundwell’s crimes.

Mike Venier, a Dixon City Councilman and local business owner, echoed these sentiments. "It was really just another gut punch to the city of Dixon," he said, emphasizing how personally affected the community feels by Crundwell's actions.

The Road to Clemency: How We Got Here

Crundwell’s embezzlement of $53 million began in the early 1990s, and for nearly three decades, she slowly drained the city’s funds while living a lavish lifestyle. She funded her expensive horse breeding program with stolen money, all the while hiding the theft from city officials. Her actions went undetected for years, with Crundwell using her position as comptroller to manipulate financial records.

Her crime was only discovered in 2012, when auditors found that Crundwell had been embezzling from the city for nearly 20 years. In 2013, she was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in federal prison for one of the largest thefts of public funds in U.S. history.

However, her release came in 2021 under the CARES Act, which allowed certain high-risk prisoners to be moved to house arrest due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, in 2023, Crundwell is a free woman, which has only reignited the anger among Dixon’s residents.

Local Leaders Speak Out

For many in Dixon, Crundwell’s crimes represent more than just a financial disaster—they are a betrayal of trust. “This is a tough one to swallow,” said Mike Venier. “This is a lady who had so much trust in her throughout our community and over 20 years, with a smile on her face, stole $54 million from the people who put that trust into her.”

As the largest municipal fraud in U.S. history, Crundwell's actions shattered the fabric of the community. The money she stole was meant to fund essential public services in Dixon, and her theft caused deep, lasting wounds.

According to Venier, Crundwell’s trustworthiness allowed her to manipulate the city’s finances for years. “People got in, people got out. Rita remained, and so she always knew the answers to anything that the new council people would have,” Venier explained. “That’s where they built her trust in her, the trust that she obviously used against them.”

Crundwell’s Lavish Lifestyle and the Toll on Dixon

While Dixon’s residents struggled, Crundwell lived an extravagant lifestyle funded by the stolen money. She was particularly known for her horse breeding program, which became a symbol of her wealth and indulgence. The residents who have worked hard to rebuild the community feel that Crundwell’s lavish lifestyle was built at their expense.

Despite the gravity of her crimes, the decision to release Crundwell early has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many. "There were sacrifices, really deep sacrifices made in this community over 20 to 30 years because of this," said Arellano, the former mayor. "It's very personal for people in Dixon... This should be the time of year when we're recapping a successful year, talking about growth and progress, and now we're talking about why the woman who committed the largest municipal fraud in US history is going to be out on the streets."

Dixon’s Long-Term Impact: A City Forever Stained

While the official punishment for Crundwell’s crimes may be over, her legacy continues to haunt the people of Dixon. Many residents are left wondering if they’ll ever see justice.

“I have a feeling she’s gonna leave town. She can’t show her face,” said Rich Adams, a local resident, expressing his belief that Crundwell may attempt to avoid the community she defrauded.

Despite her release, there are many who will never forgive her for the harm she caused. “She still owes us 50 plus million dollars,” said Venier. “The day she comes to city hall with a certified check for $50 million... maybe we’ll have a softer sense about the whole situation, but until that day, she’ll never be innocent.”

The Community’s Continued Fight for Justice

For the residents of Dixon, Crundwell’s clemency represents not only a legal setback but also a moral one. The town has struggled to overcome the financial loss caused by her embezzlement, and now, they must cope with the emotional toll of her release.

While Crundwell’s time behind bars may be over, her story is far from finished. As long as Dixon remains haunted by the memory of her crime, many will continue to fight for justice—not just for themselves, but for future generations who will forever remember the woman who stole their trust and their money.