A former city bookkeeper who embezzled almost $54 million from her northern Illinois hometown will appeal the length of her nearly 20-year prison sentence, her attorneys indicated in a Monday court filing.
Rita Crundwell siphoned funds from the city of Dixon to pay for properties, personal luxuries and a nationally known horse-breeding operation in one of the worst abuses of public trust in the state's corruption-plagued history.
Crundwell's attorneys filed a court document that says they intend to appeal to the 7th U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago, but that detailed arguments as to why they believe the sentence was too stiff would come later. One of Crundwell's attorneys, Paul Gaziano, declined comment later Monday.
Crundwell, 60, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for embezzling the money from 1991 until her arrest last April.
During her sentencing on Feb. 14, Crundwell tearfully apologized and her attorneys asked for a sentence of about 13 years. But U.S. District Judge Philip Reinhard instead sentenced her to 19 years and 7 months in federal prison, just shy of the maximum 20 years.
"You showed a much greater passion for the welfare of your horses than you did for the people of Dixon who you represented," Reinhard told her. He also said Crundwell had "crippled" Dixon.
Heads of various departments also took turns describing how her scheme devastated the city. Police, for instance, didn't get radio equipment and there wasn't enough money to mow the grass at the cemetery.
Crundwell still faces 60 separate but related state felony charges for theft in Lee County. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:53 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:53:15 GMT
Illinois' congressional delegation has asked President Obama to add 16 Illinois counties to the list of those eligible to receive disaster aid after last month's flooding.
Illinois' congressional delegation has asked President Obama to add 16 Illinois counties to the list of those eligible to receive disaster aid after last month's flooding.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:52 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:52:14 GMT
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois lawmakers have a chance to make history on two fronts this month by approving a plan to fix the state's decades-old pension crisis and legalizing same-sex marriage.
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois lawmakers have a chance to make history on two fronts this month by approving a plan to fix the state's decades-old pension crisis and legalizing same-sex marriage.
Monday, May 20 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:05:27 GMT
Former White House social secretary Desiree Rogers has been appointed to head the board of a government-supported nonprofit that promotes Chicago as a tourism and convention destination.
Former White House social secretary Desiree Rogers has been appointed to head the board of a government-supported nonprofit that promotes Chicago as a tourism and convention destination.
Republicans call them "scandals." Democrats call them "fishing expeditions." Whatever the case, the Obama administration finds itself trying to fix three big problems this week. FOX's Bret Baier reports.
Republicans call them "scandals." Democrats call them "fishing expeditions." Whatever the case, the Obama administration finds itself trying to fix three big problems this week. FOX's Bret Baier reports.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:54 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:54:21 GMT
A one-of-a-kind Chicago Public School is doing very well amid the controversy surrounding CPS closures, and the final Chicago Board of Education vote on the plan scheduled for Wednesday.
A one-of-a-kind Chicago Public School is doing very well amid the controversy surrounding CPS closures, and the final Chicago Board of Education vote on the plan scheduled for Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:53 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:53:15 GMT
Illinois' congressional delegation has asked President Obama to add 16 Illinois counties to the list of those eligible to receive disaster aid after last month's flooding.
Illinois' congressional delegation has asked President Obama to add 16 Illinois counties to the list of those eligible to receive disaster aid after last month's flooding.
