{UAH} RITA CRUNDWELL WAS SET FREE TOO

She Stole Millions From Taxpayers to Buy Show Horses. Biden Set Her Free.

Published Dec 13, 2024 at 12:27 PM EST

President Joe Biden commuted the sentence of Rita Crundwell, the former comptroller of Dixon, Illinois, who was convicted of what is believed to be the largest municipal fraud in United States history.

Biden on Thursday announced that he is commuting the sentences of more than a record 1,500 people who have shown "successful rehabilitation and a strong commitment to making their communities safer."

The individuals Biden opted to commute were placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and have "successfully reintegrated into their families and communities," the White House wrote in a statement, touting the effort as part of Biden's "record of criminal justice reform."

Criminal justice reform has emerged as a key issue for many Democrats in recent years who argue the criminal justice system unfairly benefits the wealthy and have pushed for changes aimed at making a more equitable system. But Biden's commutation of Crundwell's sentence quickly drew backlash from both Democrats and Republicans in Illinois, who argued public officials who betray the public's trust shouldn't be given leniency.

Crundwell was convicted of embezzling more than $53 million of taxpayer funds for funding a lavish lifestyle and her quarter horse farming business, despite knowing that the city's finances were struggling at the time, according to a Department of Justice (DOJ) statement from February 2013, when she was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in federal prison.

The scheme left the city short of critical funds, but leaders say it has recovered in the years since, as they have been able to invest in economic development, street resurfacing and a revitalized riverfront, reported Chicago-based news station WTTW.

Glen Hughes, the mayor of Dixon, told Newsweek the city is "stunned, and maybe even angry" about the about the commutation, and that the city "would like to move past" the incident.

"Although today's news will be a dark moment in Dixon's history, Dixon has recovered very nicely both financially, and developmentally, from the Crundwell days," he said. "Dixon is a great community to live in. We are focused on continuing to enhance the community, and are positive about its strength for the future."

Dixon City Manager Danny Langloss told the station the commutation "definitely cuts the scar open," questioning why Biden would do so "at a time when the federal government is the least trusted institution in the country."

"It's just not right," he said. "Just the laziness to carte blanche commute the sentence of everyone, or nearly everyone that was put on home detention during COVID, without even giving consideration to the victims or their crimes."

Federal prosecutors accused Crundwell of transferring money from city accounts to an account known as the "Reserve Sewer Capital Development Account," which did not actually exist" and was used to pay for personal and private business expenses. The scheme went on for 20 years, according to the DOJ.

During that period, she told city council members and department heads that the city's lack of funds were due to economic downturn and the state being behind in payments, according to the DOJ.

She was reported to law enforcement in 2011 after a city employee, who took over her work during an unpaid vacation, reviewed bank statements and brought records of the account to the mayor.

She pleaded guilty to wire fraud and agreed she engaged in money laundering in November 2012.

Crundwell Commutation Sparks Bipartisan Rebuke

Other Illinois politicians from both major political parties also criticized Biden.

"Rita Crundwell was just granted clemency. This, after swindling Dixon, Illinois residents out of $54 Million over decades. She pleaded guilty, got the max sentence, but only served 8 years. Her case remains the biggest municipal fraud case in U.S. history. Getting off scot free today is such a load of BS," representative Eric Sorenson, a Democrat, posted to X (formerly Twitter).

Representative Darin LaHood, a Republican whose district includes Dixon, described it as a "slap in the face" to the city's residents in a statement posted to X.

"Illinois' history of corruption has marred our state with controversy and public distrust. Leniency towards public officials who have abused their power - like Rita Crundwell - only further erodes the integrity of our institutions," he wrote.

Several others of Biden's commutations have sparked criticism.