Crundwell Pleads Not Guilty in Court

Former Dixon comptroller Rita Crundwell has pleaded not guilty to allegedly stealing millions of dollars in public funds and funneling the money into a secret bank account.

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Credit Susan Stephens

Entrance to Rita Crundwell's horse farm near Dixon

She appeared in court Wednesday before a Lee County Circuit judge. These charges are separate from the federal charge of wire fraud. Crundwell was arraigned yesterday on 60 counts of theft.  She is accused of embezzling $53 million from the city of Dixon.