UPDATE--July 24, 2012--WASHINGTON – The U.S. Marshals Service has awarded a contract to Professional Auction Services, Inc. (www.professionalauction.com), of Round Hill, Virginia for the U.S. District Court-ordered dispersal of horses and related equipment belonging to former city of Dixon, Illinois Comptroller Rita A. Crundwell. The contract will run from August 1 to September 30, 2012. The agreement will offer buyers the opportunity to bid at a live auction at the Crundwell Red Brick Road farm, along with the opportunity to place bids on the contractor’s website. The auction dates are anticipated for mid-September and will be released by the contractor on or before August 1.

The U.S. Marshals Service received five proposals following a June 20 notice of the federal business opportunity. Receipt of bids closed on July 5. Proposals were evaluated on technical approach (i.e., the capability to meet the requirements outlined within the Statement of Work), past performance conducting similar requirements, and price. The federal procurement process does not permit the release of information about the other companies considered for this contract.

Contractor performance will be closely monitored by the U.S. Marshals Service to ensure the highest level of integrity. A buyer’s premium is the only authorized fee charged to a buyer. All preview/inspection periods and auctions will be open to the public without charge of an admission fee. Private sales will not be allowed.

The U.S. Marshals Service will introduce representatives from Professional Auction Services, Inc. in Dixon, Illinois on August 2 where the company will provide a statement. More information on the time and location will be released under a separate media advisory.

Update July 13, 2012--WASHINGTON – The U.S. Marshals Service is selling the first of Rita Crundwell’s assets, a luxury motor home, via a sealed bid sale. Crundwell, 59, has been federally charged with wire fraud in U.S. District Court in Northern Illinois.

The 2009 Liberty Coach Motor Home has a minimum bid of $1 million. Bids will be accepted until 2 p.m. CDT August 1. Public viewings will be available by appointment only on July 23 and July 27 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. CDT.

Crundwell, the former comptroller of Dixon, Ill., has been indicted for allegedly fraudulently obtaining more than $53 million from the city since 1990 and using the proceeds to finance her horse breeding business and lavish lifestyle.

Should the government prevail in its civil and criminal actions against Crundwell, net proceeds from the sale of the defendant’s forfeited assets will be applied toward restitution to the city of Dixon.

Note to media: Media access will be granted by appointment only during the public viewing dates and times: July 23 and July 27 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. CDT. Call 414-297-1144/4486 to schedule an appointment.

For more information, terms and conditions on the motor home sale, go to www.usmarshals.gov/assets/2012/motorhome.html

For more information on the federal case, go to:

http://www.justice.gov/usao/iln/pr/rockford/2012/pr0501_01.pdf
http://www.usmarshals.gov/assets/2012/protective_order.pdf

The U.S. Marshals Service is responsible for managing and selling seized and forfeited properties acquired by federal criminals through illegal activities. Proceeds generated from asset sales are used to compensate victims, supplement funding for law enforcement initiatives and support community programs. As part of the Department of Justice’s Asset Forfeiture Program, the Marshals currently manage more than 19,000 assets with a value of $4.4 billion. www.usmarshals.gov

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DIXON – The U.S. Marshals Service hopes to solicit bids from professionals who will handle the sale of more than 400 quarter horses belonging to former Dixon comptroller Rita Crundwell.

It hopes to have a public sale by summer’s end, spokeswoman Lynzey Donahue said Tuesday. Marshals have been caring for her horses, other assets and properties since her arrest April 17.

Now that the horse sale has been approved, marshals must post a solicitation on www.fedbizopps.gov inviting industry professionals to submit proposals. They hope to do so next week, Donahue said.

Click here for more information regarding the Solicitation for contract to sell horses from the Crundwell case

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Update: June 15, 2012

ROCKFORD – The U.S. Marshals Service will be allowed to sell more than 400 horses and other items belonging to former Dixon Comptroller Rita A. Crundwell before her case is resolved, a judge ruled Friday morning.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Pedersen told Federal Magistrate Judge P. Michael Mahoney during a 30-minute hearing that selling the horses now will "be in the best interest of all parties involved."

In his motion to sell the horses, Pedersen wrote that maintenance costs are “burdensome,” especially because some of the mares are pregnant or recently gave birth.

During this morning's hearing, Pedersen said that it will take 60 to 90 days to go out for bids and set up the sale.

The marshals service also will bid out contracts to people to run the sale, Pedersen said.

All proceeds from the sale will be held in an escrow account managed by marshals until the case is resolved.

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Update June 14, 2012

DIXON – Federal prosecutors filed a motion Thursday seeking to sell more than 400 horses and other related items belonging to former Dixon Comptroller Rita A. Crundwell.

In an amended complaint filed Thursday, prosecutors say they now have identified 401 horses, 21 embryos, 13 saddles, and frozen stallion semen from eight horses that they believe were purchased by Crundwell with illegal funds.

Care for the horses and other vehicles and properties seized from Crundwell are being handled by the U.S. Marshals Service. Costs associated with that care are "burdensome," Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Pedersen wrote in the motion filed this morning, especially because some of the mares are pregnant or recently gave birth.

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