Watch CBS News

Crundwell Moved To Chicago Jail Before Prison Assignment

CHICAGO (AP) -- A former northern Illinois comptroller sentenced this year for stealing nearly $54 million from her community has been transferred to a federal jail in downtown Chicago.

The Bureau of Prisons confirmed Monday that Rita Crundwell is at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. Bureau spokesman Chris Burke says the former Dixon comptroller arrived at the high-rise jail Thursday.

Crundwell admitted she stashed public money in a secret bank account for decades. She used it to fund a lavish lifestyle and her renowned horse-breeding operation.

A U.S. judge in Rockford sentenced the 60-year-old to nearly 20 years in prison. She was taken into custody at sentencing.

Chicago's MCC is typically an interim holding facility. Crundwell will be assigned a permanent prison later.

The bureau website gives her release date as March 5, 2030.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.