Macon Reporter

State Senator-Elect Li Arellano Jr. reacted to the pardon of Rita Crundwell in a December 12 Facebook post, stating, "Granting her full freedom, well before her sentence is fully served, is another slap in the face of those who fight for government reform and accountability."

"Biden has granted clemency to Rita Crundwell, the former Dixon Comptroller who stole $54 million from the citizens of Dixon," said Arellano, according to Facebook. "This appears to be part of a political move to relieve pressure from Biden's pardon of his son, Hunter Biden. Crundwell had already been given early release to house arrest. Granting her full freedom, well before her sentence is fully served, is another slap in the face of those who fight for government reform and accountability--and to the taxpayers and citizens who have been rebuilding our community."

On December 12, President Joe Biden granted clemency to 1,499 individuals convicted of non-violent crimes who had "shown successful rehabilitation and a strong commitment to making their communities safer," according to a press release from the White House. One of these individuals is Rita Crundwell; however, the news release did not include details about her crime.

Screenshot of State Senator-Elect Li Arellano's Dec. 12 Facebook post. | Li Arellano for State Senate Facebook page

According to the Chicago Tribune, Crundwell's commutation was noted after she admitted in 2012 that she had stolen $53.7 million from the City of Dixon over more than a decade. She used these funds for her quarter horse business and to support a lavish lifestyle. In 2013, she was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. In 2020, she petitioned for compassionate release due to health concerns and the COVID-19 pandemic. "I have done everything in my power to be a ‘model inmate.’ To work as hard as I can and have never complained about my conditions here or the pay we receive. There is never a day that goes by, I do not regret my crime," said Crundwell in her petition. She was released to a halfway house in Downers Grove in 2021 and would have completed her sentence in 2028.

In addition to her prison sentence of 19 years and seven months, Crundwell was required to pay restitution. Her estate and assets were auctioned off, netting $9.2 million. The City of Dixon recovered more than $30 million through settlements from lawsuits against insurance companies that failed to detect Crundwell’s thefts.

Arellano previously served as mayor of Dixon starting in 2015. During his two-term tenure as mayor, he focused on restoring fiscal integrity, enhancing local infrastructure, and fostering economic development. According to his website, after fulfilling his objectives as mayor, Arellano adhered to his pledged term limits and did not seek reelection for a third term. He returned to the private sector where he now owns two Jimmy John’s franchises, a frozen yogurt shop—the Frosted Spoon—and a commercial property leasing company. In addition to his business ventures, Arellano serves as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves and is currently a squad leader with the 317th Engineer Construction Company in Homewood, Illinois.