The US Marshall's have been overseeing the care of the quarter-horses since the feds arrested Rita Crundwell in April.
She's accused of stealing 53 million dollars from the Dixon coffers during a 22 year career as the town's comptroller where she had nearly complete control of the finances.
A federal indictment accused Crundwell of funneling sales tax dollars to a secret account that she used to support a lavish lifestyle and build a horse breeding business that made her into one of the country's premier quarter horse owners. Several are valued at over 250-thousand dollars each.
Federal prosecutors told a judge in Rockford today that caring for the animals is costly and delaying their sale could diminish their value.
The judge ruled that the horses could be sold at auction and Crundwell's attorney did not object.
The judge had previously authorized the sale of Crundwell's three residences, including her home in Dixon, and one in Florida, as well as her horse farm and a luxury two million dollar motor home.
Many people have expressed doubt that even if everything Crundwell owns is sold they will ever get fully repaid.
Last week the city of Dixon sued it's auditors, accusing them of professional negligence for not uncovering the massive theft.
Crundwell has pleaded not guilty to the fraud charges.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:35 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:35:55 GMT
Emergency crews searched the broken remnants of Moore, Okla. for survivors of a tornado that flattened homes and demolished an elementary school. At least 24 people were killed, including at least nine children.
Emergency crews searched the broken remnants of Moore, Okla. for survivors of a tornado that flattened homes and demolished an elementary school. At least 24 people were killed, including at least nine children.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:12:24 GMT
Every time a tornado makes news, the local public cannot help but think about what happened in this area, back in 1967. A destructive storm system hit the southwest suburbs 46 years ago.
Every time a tornado makes news, the local public cannot help but think about what happened in this area, back in 1967. A destructive storm system hit the southwest suburbs 46 years ago.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:26 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:26:50 GMT
Police are asking for help to identify the body of woman or teen girl found strangled and badly burned in a Northwest Side Avondale neighborhood Dumpster Sunday night.
Police are asking for help to identify the body of woman or teen girl found strangled and badly burned in a Northwest Side Avondale neighborhood Dumpster Sunday night.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 00:33:23 GMT
A Merrillville police officer shot a man Monday afternoon when the two got into a fight in the parking lot of the Merrillville Planned Parenthood office.
A Merrillville police officer shot a man Monday afternoon when the two got into a fight in the parking lot of the Merrillville Planned Parenthood office.
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