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.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:50 AM EDT2013-05-25 14:50:09 GMT
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another heart-wrenching tragedy.
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another "heart-wrenching" tragedy -- displaced pets.
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.
Britain is bracing for clashes with right-wing extremists and possible copycat terror attacks after the slaying of a young soldier, adding some 1,200 police to potential trouble spots.
Both of the suspects accused of butchering a British soldier during broad daylight on a London street had long been on the radar of Britain's domestic spy agency, though investigators say it would have been nearly...
Friday, May 24 2013 9:32 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:32:16 GMT
Some aldermen have questions as a City Council committee gets ready to hold a hearing on Mayor Emanuel's proposed changes to the Chicago parking meter deal.
Some aldermen have questions as a City Council committee gets ready to hold a hearing on Mayor Emanuel's proposed changes to the Chicago parking meter deal.
Former Chicago Bears lineman and FOX contributor Dan Jiggetts is an advocate for preventing the sale of high capacity ammunition magazines in Illinois. He's also working on Rocky's Law with Governor Quinn.
Former Chicago Bears lineman and FOX contributor Dan Jiggetts is an advocate for preventing the sale of high capacity ammunition magazines in Illinois. He's also working on Rocky's Law with Governor Quinn.
Amid lingering concerns about his national security policies, President Barack Obama is outlining measures to clarify the deadly use of drones against terror suspects.
President Barack Obama sought Thursday to advance the U.S. beyond the unrelenting war effort of the past dozen years, defining a narrower terror threat from smaller networks and homegrown extremists rather than the grandiose...
Thursday, May 23 2013 4:36 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:36:47 GMT
The Obama administration has picked a private attorney and former federal prosecutor to head the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced Thursday.
The Obama administration has picked a private attorney and former federal prosecutor to head the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced Thursday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:18:06 GMT
Illinois legislation allowing public possession of concealed guns has passed the House Judiciary Committee. It was a compromise backed by Speaker Michael Madigan.
Illinois legislation allowing public possession of concealed guns has passed the House Judiciary Committee. It was a compromise backed by Speaker Michael Madigan.
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