US President Biden commutes sentence of former city employee convicted of stealing $53 million, Dixon residents 'shocked'

US President Biden executed an unprecedented act of clemency by commuting sentences for approximately 1,500 individuals including Rita Crundwell, who was sentenced for misappropriating almost $54 million from the town of 15,000 residents across two decades.

In 2013, she received a nearly 20-year sentence for misappropriating almost $54 million from the town of 15,000 residents across two decades.

Crundwell, currently 71, acknowledged stealing from Dixon whilst serving as comptroller. She utilised the misappropriated funds for an extravagant lifestyle, including financing her horse breeding enterprise, acquiring properties, and purchasing over 48 vehicles and a premium motorhome, Fox Business reported.

According to CBS News, Crundwell was originally scheduled to complete 85% of her sentence, keeping her imprisoned until October 20, 2029. However, she received early release to house arrest on August 4, 2021, where she remained until Biden's recent commutation.

Biden's recent commutation has sparked the outrage from the city of Dixon.

"The City of Dixon is shocked and outraged with the announcement that President Biden has given Rita Crundwell clemency for the largest municipal embezzlement in the history of our country," current Dixon City Manager Danny Langlossa stated, responding to Biden's commutation of Crundwell's sentence. "This is a complete travesty of justice and a slap in the face for our entire community."

"While today's news is unimaginable, the City of Dixon is in an incredible place today," Langlossa added. "We will continue to focus on the future and work to capitalize on the momentum we have created."