I don't think the original poster mentioned Cook Co. I believe the entire post is a press release. Andy Shaw (former ABC news guy) is the one talking about Chicago in the press release. Yes, Dixon is a long ways from Chicago.

Or, am I missing something else?

I always find it hard to understand in these huge fraud/embezzlement cases that someone didn't notice something, or didn't think that something was out of whack. Don't people usually look at others & say, "wow....I make $50K/yr & she makes $50K/yr & she has new cars, new jewelery & new etc etc etc. I know we're not supposed to look across the fence, but don't some of us peek occasionally?