Rita Crundwell, the high-profile Quarter Horse breeder accused of embezzling millions of dollars from the city of Dixon, Ill., coffers, has pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, under a plea deal entered in federal court in Illinois on Wednesday (Nov. 14).

Earlier this year a federal grand jury in Illinois indicted Crundwell for allegedly misappropriating $53 million in funds from Dixon, where she had served as comptroller since the 1980s. Federal law enforcement agents later arrested Crundwell and charged her with one count of wire fraud. Since her arrest, Crundwell has been free on her own recognizance.

A federal court judge later placed more than 400 horses forfeited in connection with the case in the custody of the U. S. Marshals Service. Professional Auction Services, Inc. was hired to carry out the sale of the horses and related equipment at auction. The horses, stallion semen, horse trailers, and other equipment were sold for a total of $4.7 million during online and live auctions.

On May 4, Crundwell pleaded not guilty to the wire fraud charge