Former Dixon comptroller's possessions up for auction

Sunday, November 1, 2015
Rita Crundwell auction
An auction is being held to sell items once owned by Rita Crundwell, a former Dixon comptroller convicted of stealing from taxpayers.

DIXON, Ill. (WLS) -- More of the ill-gotten gains from the biggest municipal theft in Illinois history are being auctioned off.

You may remember the story of Rita Crundwell. She was the comptroller of Dixon, Ill., and a successful horse trainer. But her world collapsed when the feds found she stole more than $54 million from Dixon taxpayers.

While Crundwell serves prison time, the U.S. Marshals Service is auctioning off more than 290 items. Money raised will be returned to the town of Dixon.

Among the items now being auctioned online are a football and horseshow shirt autographed by Terry Bradshaw. He wrote "Rita, you're the best." Bradshaw is a fellow horsemen who competed with Crundwell. Right now that's going for more than $200.

A leather jacket and bag are also on the list; it's believed Crundwell paid more than $6,000 for them. A pair of corral vintage riding boots are one of 23 sets of boots being sold.

This auction also includes the polo shirt Crundwell frequently wore, advertising her trusted job as Dixon's comptroller.

All of this might seem like small stuff, but it adds up. In previous auctions, the Marshals Service has raised more than $9 million to return to Dixon taxpayers.

Their latest auction closes Tuesday.