From Arrest to Commutation: The Full Story of Rita Crundwell

Rita Crundwell, the former Dixon comptroller, committed one of the largest municipal frauds in U.S. history, embezzling more than $53 million over two decades. Her actions devastated the city but also led to a remarkable recovery story.

This archive provides a detailed look at the case, from her arrest to the recent commutation of her sentence by President Biden.

In December 2024, Rita Crundwell’s prison sentence was commuted, sparking outrage and disbelief from Dixon officials and residents. This section includes breaking news coverage, reactions, and analysis of what the commutation means for the community.

Breaking News & Reactions

• Photo Gallery: Rita Crundwell Has Sentence Commuted
• Biden Commutes Prison Sentence of Rita Crundwell
• “It Just Shocks the Conscience”: Dixon Officials React to Crundwell Sentence Commutation

Analysis & Opinion

• Bielema: Clemency Doesn’t Fit the Crime in Crundwell Case

Retrospectives

• Life After Rita: Officials Reflect on Dixon’s Transformation 10 Years After Crundwell’s Arrest
• Crundwell Recovery Fund: How Dixon Spent the Money and What’s Left

Historical Coverage

Key Milestones

• Expert: “This Case is Huge, Extraordinary”
• Piecing Crundwell Together
• Mayor: Crundwell Touched Only Fire Pension
• Crundwell Pleads Not Guilty to Wire Fraud
• Crundwell Pleads Not Guilty
• Crundwell Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud Charge
• Ex-Dixon Comptroller Crundwell Sentenced to 19 Years, 7 Months

Further Insights

• Questions About Crundwell Income Raised Early
• Rita’s Out: Crundwell Released from Federal Prison
• Dixon Fires Crundwell

Stay informed with Shaw Local’s in-depth reporting. Bookmark this page for ongoing updates and reflections on the legacy of Rita Crundwell.