Former Dixon, Illinois comptroller Rita Crundwell, convicted of embezzling $53.7 million from the city to fund her Quarter Horse operation, has been released from a federal prison.

Crundwell was sentenced by a federal judge in 2013 to 19 years, 7 months in federal prison, in the largest case of municipal fraud in American history.  She was to serve 85% of her sentence and was scheduled to be released on Oct. 20, 2029.

Crundwell had been a force in the show arena- the American Quarter Horse Association’s leading owner for eight straight years. Horses from her RC Quarter Horses program had earned 52 World Championships, countless Quarter Horse Congress Championships and too many National Snaffle Bit Association and AQHA High-Point titles to count.

Crundwell petitioned a federal judge for early release three months ago citing her “deteriorating health condition” and the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Dixon issued a letter opposing the motion and Crundwell eventually withdrew her request.

Dixon Mayor Liandro Arellano expressed his frustration saying in press release, “It is incredibly frustrating that Dixon was given no victim notification of Rita Crundwell’s release. Dixonites are still dealing with the social and financial aftermath of the damage she did, and our community deserved notice of and reasoning for this decision.”

Crundwell’s assets were seized and the U.S. Marshal Service sold her prized herd of horses in a public auction in September of 2012. Many of the horses found success for new owners across the country and are still competing today.

The reason for the early release was not disclosed.