The criminal justice system seems to treat those accused of white-collar crimes with more leniency than it does common criminals. How that trend plays out in the case of Dixon’s ex-comptroller needs to be watched closely.

Common criminals who steal thousands of dollars through break-ins, thefts and robberies generally end up in the slammer. Not so if the perpetrator is a professional and the theft is committed in a more genteel way.

White-collar thefts of thousands of dollars from employers, taxpayers or clients tend to be treated differently in the criminal justice system. Allow the defendant to plead guilty to a lesser charge, order the payment of restitution, keep the defendant on a legal leash for a while, and that takes care of that. No time spent behind bars.