UPDATE from US Marshals – “Nearly 1,000 bids have been placed in the latest U.S. Marshals online auction for a near-final piece of Rita Crundwell’s equine empire,” says Jason R. Wojdylo of the US Marshals. “For the sake of honest and good neighbors in Dixon, IL who were deprived of so much, over such a long period of time, I hope those in the equine community, and beyond, will continue to show interest in this case by increased participation.”
The auction will take place online Oct. 20 through Nov. 3 at www.txauction.com.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Marshals are auctioning several hundred lots of horse show clothing and accessories and other items that belonged to Rita Crundwell, the former comptroller of Dixon, Illinois, who was convicted of fraud in 2012 for stealing $53.7 million from the city over two decades.
Items of interest include a football and framed T-shirt signed by NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw and a Childeric English saddle with a water buffalo seat, which sells new for more than $4,000. Other items for sale include Harley Davidson apparel, various pairs of cowboy boots, Sean Ryan western hats, an ATV and mopeds. A future auction will be held to sell a large collection of horse show belt buckles and household items. These additional assets had been moved by Crundwell to various locations prior to her conviction.
Crundwell, 62, was one of the leading breeders of quarter horses in the U.S. She was sentenced to more than 19 years in federal prison in 2013 and is serving her sentence at Waseca Federal Correctional Institute in Minnesota. To date, the U.S. Marshals have returned more than $9.5 million to the city of Dixon.
For more information on the case please click here.
