U.S. Marshals Selling Rita Crundwell Trophy Collection

Washington - The U.S. Marshals are selling the trophy and awards collection 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.

The collection includes approximately 767 trophies and 122 plaques that Crundwell won at countless horse shows spanning a 22-year period. Not included are 152 belt buckles; those will be sold in smaller lots in a separate online auction of other Crundwell assets in November.

This sale is being conducted by sealed bid, with a submission deadline of Nov. 30. Prospective bidders can make an appointment to see the trophies. More information is available at www.usmarshals.gov/assets/sales.htm.

“These trophies and awards symbolize the motivation of Rita Crundwell to boldly steal money from Dixon taxpayers. They were her prized possessions, second only to the horses themselves,” said Chief Inspector Jason Wojdylo with the U.S. Marshals Asset Forfeiture Division.

“We have been asked if an opportunity exists to donate the trophy and awards collection to a non-profit organization,” said Wojdylo. “Unfortunately, federal regulations don’t provide us with that option in this instance. However, there is nothing to prevent someone desiring to be a benefactor, for example, from bidding on the collection. Should that person place the winning bid, he or she could then make a charitable donation of the trophy and awards collection to an eligible non-profit of their choosing.”

Awards on display in Crundwell’s trophy room   Awards on display in Crundwell’s trophy room

The above FBI photos show some of the awards on display in Crundwell’s trophy room in her former Red Brick Road ranch in Dixon, Illinois, in 2012.

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:

www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/former-dixon-comptroller-rita-crundwell-sentenced-nearly-20-years-federal-prison-537

The Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Program is a key component of the federal government’s law enforcement efforts to combat major criminal activity by disrupting and dismantling illegal enterprises, depriving criminals of the proceeds of illegal activity, deterring crime and restoring property to victims. The U.S. Marshals Service plays a critical role by efficiently managing and selling assets seized and forfeited by DOJ. Proceeds generated from asset sales are used to operate the Asset Forfeiture Program, compensate victims and support various law enforcement and community initiatives.