Comptroller’s arrest spurs calls for more scrutiny

Allegations that a finance officer in Dixon stole a staggering $30 million are raising calls for more rigorous checks and balances in smaller communities that are under far less scrutiny.

Dixon Mayor James Burke promised new measures Wednesday to protect its finances a day after FBI agents arrested the longtime comptroller. According to a criminal complaint, the siphoning of city coffers went undetected for years until another staffer filling in as vacation relief became suspicious.

Rita Crundwell is accused of using much of the money to fund a lavish lifestyle and run one of the nation’s leading horse breeding operations.

Andy Shaw of the Better Government Association says smaller communities are vulnerable because fewer people are watching and the Dixon case is a wakeup call.