Melodie Gliniewicz

The wife of former Fox Lake police Lt. Charles Gliniewicz was formally indicted by a Lake County Grand Jury, following a Jan. 27 evidentiary hearing concerning testimony over alleged financial improprieties related to bank accounts with the Fox Lake Explorer Post 300, that she and the late officer had fiduciary capacities as adult advisers in maintaining.

The Grand Jury indicted Melodie Gliniewicz on three counts of disbursing charitable funds without authority and for personal benefit (Class 2 felonies), one count of disbursing charitable funds without authority and for personal benefit (Class 3 felony), one count of money laundering (Class 2 felony) and one count of money laundering (Class 3 felony).

A press release issued by the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, stated:

“During the investigation into the death of Lt. Gliniewicz … investigators found inconsistencies in financial documents,” the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force stated in a press release. “Specifically, it appeared non-business related monies had been withdrawn and money laundering had occurred involving the finances of the Fox Lake Police Explorer Post.

“On November 9, 2015, the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force turned over the evidence they had uncovered, regarding the suspected criminal activity, to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division … sheriff’s detectives analyzed over 10,000 pages of documents, requested additional bank/business records via subpoena, requested several additional items/documents from the Village of Fox Lake, and conducted several interviews.”

Undersheriff Ray Rose issued the following statement, “The investigation revealed money was withdrawn from the police explorer account over the course of several years. Detectives determined this money was used to finance a number of personal expenses and personal finances.”

Former Fox Lake police Lt. Joe Gliniewicz

Detectives determined some of the personal expenses paid from the police explorer account included a trip to Hawaii, payments to businesses such as Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Fox Lake Theatre, and more than 400 restaurant charges.

“The investigation was pursued very carefully, and information which the Grand Jury heard, obviously included some of the bank records that were obtained through the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” said Lake County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Det. Chris Covelli, in a phone call. “Documents and materials relating to the Gliniewicz case were released to the Village of Fox Lake, several weeks ago, for their dissemination.”

An arrest warrant had been issued by a Lake County judge, after the Grand Jury indictment, in the amount of $50,000.

“At this point, Melodie Glinieiwcz has posted bond, and has a new court date of Feb. 3,” Covelli said. “The appearance is for arraignment on the charges, and it’s being held at the Lake county courthouse.”

Lt. Gliniewicz was found dead Sept. 1 in a wooded area of Honing Road in Fox Lake, in a “carefully staged suicide” masked as a homicide. The information was forwarded by the task force’s Commander George Filenko, during a Nov. 4 press conference, which also included the reason for the Gliniewicz’s action was to “cover up” money laundering and personal expenses in connection with the post’s financial holdings.

Filenko also indicated that the criminal portion of the investigation was closed Nov. 4, although the prospect of further criminal activity would be handled by the county sheriff’s department investigators. Two days later, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office froze the bank and checking accounts of Melodie Gliniewicz, as part of the ongoing investigation into financial malfeasance with the post accounts.

In a subsequent move, Lake County Circuit Court judge Christopher Starck released a portion of the held funds Nov. 19, to help pay her immediate debts, as cited in an affidavit submitted Nov. 17 through her attorneys. A later dispersal of more than $34,000 was made to the widow, after it was deemed the funds were partial pay from her late husband, and other unattached monies.

Requests for comment from Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim were not successful, and instead referred to a prepared statement: “This entire matter has been a sad and tragic saga for the Village of Fox Lake. My hope is that we will be able to close this unfortunate chapter and move forward with ensuring a professional and transparent police department dedicated to the citizens of Fox Lake.

“I would also thank and recognize the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, all the agencies who took part in this matter, and to the Fox Lake Police Department and village officials who aided in this investigation.”

In related news, the Village of Fox Lake named Russell B. Laine as its new interim police chief, replacing Mike Keller, during its Jan. 26 board meeting. It also named Jimmy Lee Jr. as its new interim deputy chief of police.

—  Gliniewicz’s  wife indicted  by grand jury —