Bet last of the crooks will go and embezzle (8)
I believe the answer is:
peculate
'embezzle' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'bet last of the crooks will go' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'last' could be 'late' (similar in meaning) and 'late' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'and' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for peculate that I've seen before include "Steal money entrusted to one's care, embezzle" , "Embezzle money having pale, cute appearance" , "Appropriate" , "Embezzle money with cute plea" .)