DIXON – CliftonLarsonAllen knew about the secret bank account former comptroller Rita Crundwell used to steal nearly $54 million at least as early as 2010 – and did not investigate it, according to court documents.

The city is suing the accounting firm, one of the largest in the United States, claiming it should have detected Crundwell’s theft and asking for damages in excess of $53 million.

Documents filed in Lee County Court to add Ron Blaine and Todd Etheridge of Clifton to the suit, filed by the city’s attorney, Devon Bruce of Power, Rogers and Smith in Chicago, show that Clifton knew of the account, which it confirmed had a balance of $142,000.