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Crime & Safety

Patch Flash: Dixon Comptroller Embezzled Millions, Spent on Horse Breeding Says FBI

Chicagoland news to talk about: North Chicago cop fired for role in alleged beating death.

A bookkeeper who handled the City of Dixon’s finances is charged with embezzling $30 million in public funds. Federal prosecutors say Rita Crundwell, 58, spent the money on her nationally known quarter horse breeding operation. 

, in south suburban Oak Lawn, they still sent him to other schools. The allegations came to light after a bankruptcy filing by the Irish Christian Brothers in an attempt to cap any damages from former students filing claims alleging sexual or physical abuse by members of the religious order who taught at the high schools.

Two of seven North Chicago police officers suspected to have been involved in the beating death of Darrin Hanna faced disciplinary action Friday, while their other colleagues returned to their previous posts. Officer Brandon Yost, a six-year veteran of the force was to be discharged immediately from his position, while Arthur Strong, a seven-year veteran, will be suspended for 30 days without pay, North Chicago Police Chief James Jackson announced Friday. Hanna's death was officially attributed to several factors, including physical trauma and restraint and cocaine use that exacerbated his existing sickle cell anemia, but Hanna's family believed police officers involved should be held responsible. 

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An Elgin mom is facing criminal charges after police say she encouraged her teenage daughter to beat up another girl, then videotaped the assault that followed. Police say the 16-year-old daughter of Anita Joost, 46, had been arguing with a 15-year-old girl when Joost encouraged her daughter to "kick her ass" and arranged for the girls to settle their differences physically

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