If you're in the market for nearly 900 trophies and plaques, the U.S. Marshals Service has a deal for you.
Former Dixon Comptroller Rita Crundwell won a lot of awards during 22 years as one of the top breeders of quarter horses in the country. That was before she was found guilty of stealing nearly 54 million dollars from her hometown.
Jason Wojdylo, Chief Inspector with the U.S. Marshals asset forfeiture division, says, “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.”
In a statement, Wojdylo says he has been asked a number of times if the government could donate the awards to a not-for-profit organization. He says that's not possible under federal regulations, but he encourages anyone who's feeling charitable to bid, then donate the lot to their favorite organization.
The trophies are available for viewing by appointment for serious buyers from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 16 at a storage space in Rockford. Then, the winning email bid submitted by Nov. 30 takes home all the statues, plaques, globes, ribbons, and assorted trophy parts.The winner has to remove all the booty, without help from the Marshal's Service, by Dec. 11.
So far the government has returned $9.5 million to the city of Dixon by selling off Crundwell's assets. But wait, there's more: 152 belt buckles go up for auction next month.
