Whistleblower Kathe Swanson

Closure. That’s all Kathe Swanson was looking for. She was the city clerk of Dixon, Illinois, when in October 2011 she discovered some fishy bank statements that implicated longtime comptroller, Rita Crundwell, for embezzling from Dixon. After receiving the ACFE’s Sentinel Award during Wednesday’s closing general session of the 29th Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference, Swanson said, “I have finally received my closure,” as supportive attendees gave her a standing ovation.

[@muffs55mercury61]

Love you Kathe. You saved your little city from more misery.

[@kiryuandgodzillagirl]

Kathe you're a brave strong woman and I have respect for people like you, you knew what was right and brought down a vile corrupt woman who hurt more than you, she hurt your city. I admire how you took down her empire, you are a hero to the city you saved them. You're a great, strong, smart and brave woman, if you are reading this it takes guts to take someone like Rita Crudwell down.

[@troylee5273]

So the person who spent 20 years as Rita's backup in absolute best position to discover fraud is hero?

[@kellycolligan4755]

@@troylee5273 lmfao!!! So true!! I wonder if she got $$ out of this. Some whistle blowers do

[@kiryuandgodzillagirl]

@@kellycolligan4755 I don't think she would have accepted it she saved Dixon from bankruptcy

[@kiryuandgodzillagirl]

@@troylee5273 Rita slipped up and her arrogance was her undoing

[@troylee5273]

@@kiryuandgodzillagirl for sure.. after getting away with it 20 years easy to get lax

[@neetrab]

A very beautiful speech!

[@traceyscott2042]

Have a feeling this lady suspected that Rita Crundwell was stealing way before she got a copy of those accounts.

[@troylee5273]

Tracey Scott Seems so bizarre. The embezzler’s backup worked with her for 20 years and accidentally discovered bad account during one of Rita’s many vacations. Instead of calling her hero and giving awards I think fair to question why she didn’t figure this out LONG time ago when filling in during Rita’s absences

[@clemclemson9259]

@@troylee5273 i have to agree... no hero here

[@kevinbaird7277]

Crundwell got out in August 2021, 9 years early...crime pays.

[@PInk77W1]

Closure ? You get a pay check. I worked for the state for 27yrs. Almost got killed every day. Never thought of “closure”

[@mikestyles499]

Good on her. Bravo Kathe

[@krakenwoodfloorservicemcma5975]

Amazing how close Rita was to getting away with it again.

[@clemclemson9259]

lotta good that did... crumwell is already out of jail. she never said rita turned to her family and apologized in the documentary either..

[@miguelherrera6762]

She kept official documents reflecting fraud in her personal car for three days before reporting it to the higher ups??? No wonder they were being taken to the cleaners.

[@krakenwoodfloorservicemcma5975]

Yeah she almost blew it! Rita would have taken another 90 million..

[@ronbonora7872]

I agree Sir. She should have been fired for just that too!

[@troylee5273]

Far bigger question than those 3 days is prev 20 years! She was backup during entire duration of theft… Rita got away with it so long in part because she had “perfect” backup.

[@Miya-kj5bu]

She did the right thing.

[@Steve-dv1qh]

She had a million dollar horse ranch and all the toys of the super rich. So what was the clue that made you think something was wrong?sherlock

[@ronbonora7872]

maybe she was good in the sack and had sugar boys! LOL....I agree, it is unreal how stupid this city management is/was!

[@PInk77W1]

So Rita has millions and millions of dollars worth of stuff and still worked for the city ? No red flags ? Anyone with such a successful horse Business would’ve quit the city long ago. Unless of course they are taking Boatloads of city money home

[@clemclemson9259]

damn good point this woman is no hero

[@hrsnrnd10]

She worked right along side Rita. After over 20 years, she finally looks at something that “does not look quite right”? No one was doing their jobs. Does she consider herself some kind of hero? Why in the world is. She getting an award????

[@kystars]

No she didn't just work right beside her. you really need to watch the whole story. She didn't say much here. Rita controlled everything. That day it was found out by this woman is when she went to her computer while she was away and noticed an odd account. She investigated it and saw the large sums of money. She wasn't sure what the account was, but knew it wasn't right and later told the mayor. They then called the FBI. The people of the town wanted to give her the award for discovering this and ending thie financial misery.

[@troylee5273]

kystars I kind of agree with hrsnrnd. She did right thing once she discovered it, but eventually someone was going stumble upon that at city hall or bank. Amazing took 2 decades to happen. Kathe’s position made her one of the most likely to accidentally discover. Award would’ve been more appropriate if she suspected Rita of stealing and took it upon herself to “dig” and uncovered in that manner, as opposed to accidentally seeing statement after 20 years

[@troylee5273]

@@Tolpuddle581 She did right thing after 20 years. I wouldn't be surprised Rita laughing in prison she lived a dream for 2 decades in part due to incompetent backup.

[@ronbonora7872]

she should have been fired too! All those years and did not notice millions leaving is unreal! The mayor too should go!

[@ronbonora7872]

@@troylee5273 I agree!

[@leoverran311]

Dixon is famous for Two reasons

[@fern8580]

Crundwell, one year in prison for 2 750 000 $ !

[@jackwright9960]

Here it is 2021 and she got out early right now in 2022 she's in a house with house arrest 🙄 big deal!

[@minskimia]

whats with the earings?

[@phyllishamilton165]

She LIKES them!!! And learn to spell "earrings."

[@norms3913]

Lifestyle of the rich and the corrupted

[@kevinyounger2771]

A horse farm fur coats travel around the world working for the city of Dixon ok give me a break white people you knew.

[@user-lb2iu8ee1o]

This lady acts like it was her money, " oh the city oh the city boo hoo

[@jwehrli6]

Maybe she is stealing too.