Help me settle a disagreement, please. Is it a crime to spend money that you stole, or was the crime committed during the thievery?

I think spending money that you stole could become a money laundering crime depending on what you spend it on. Buying something with significant resale value using stolen funds does sound like laundering. Likewise gambling some of it and pretending you "just got lucky."

Also, you have to pay taxes on your income, even if it's stolen. If you've been tracked spending thousands you didn't earn, like Al Capone, you'll be charged with tax fraud and/or evasion.

Here's a different thought.
If you could do it in the first place...do you really care?
Can you look yourself in the eye and feel good?

well far as goods go you can be charged with handling stolen money . you will have a lot of explaining to do if the serial numbers of the money turn up in your possession [ rockthehouse]

Only if you get caught🤷‍♂️

Both can be a crime. The theft is theft, obviously, and the spending can be classed as misappropriation of funds, using someone else's money illegally.

Anything you do with that money besides giving it back is technically another crime.

Yes it is a crime. Handling stolen property is a separate crime from the theft