FOX LAKE, Ill. — The wife of a former police lieutenant who reportedly disguised his suicide has been indicted on felony charges.
Fox Lake Police Lieutenant Charles Joseph Gliniewicz's wife, Melodie Gliniewicz, has been charged with six separate felony counts after Lake County Major Crime Task Force investigators found inconsistencies in financial documents.
Specifically, it appeared non-business related monies had been withdrawn and money laundering had occurred involving the finances of the Fox Lake Police Explorer Post.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 Sept. 1 of last year, Gliniewicz appeared to be killed in the line of duty during a shootout with a suspect. However, in November his death was ruled a suicide after it was revealed that he had been laundering money from a police program that he was directing.
Charles Joseph Gliniewicz oversaw the Fox Lake Police Explorer Post for over two decades. His wife, Melodie Gliniewicz, 51, was also found to hold a fiduciary role as an adult advisor with the Fox Lake Police Explorer Post.
On Nov. 9, 2015, the Lake County Major Crime Task Force turned over the evidence they had uncovered, regarding the suspected criminal activity, to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.
Lake County Undersheriff Ray Rose organized a team of detectives who were responsible to investigate the suspected criminal activity. This team consisted of a sergeant and three detectives who specialized in financial and computer crimes. Through the course of the investigation, sheriff’s detectives analyzed over 10,000 pages of document, requested additional bank/business records via subpoena, requested several additional items/documents from the Village of Fox Lake, and conducted several interviews.
“The investigation revealed money was withdrawn from the police explorer account over the course of several years," Undersheriff Ray Rose said in a press release. "Detectives determined this money was used to finance a number of personal expenses and personal finances. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office will vigorously investigate crimes of money laundering. I’m very proud of the thorough investigation conducted by everyone involved.”
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 over 400 restaurant charges.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office consulted and worked closely with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office throughout this investigation. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office assigned a prosecutor on a full-time basis to review material as it became available. After reviewing the completed financial investigation, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office made the determination to present the facts to a Grand Jury.
On Jan. 27, 2016, a Lake County Grand Jury listened to testimony regarding the facts and evidence obtained throughout this investigation. Following the testimony, the Grand Jury indicted Melodie Gliniewicz.
Melodie Gliniewicz was indicted 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).
“Fox Lake, all of Lake County, and quite frankly the entire country have been through a mix of emotions throughout the Gliniewicz investigations," Sheriff Mark Curran said. "It is my hope the community can continue healing and rebuilding. On behalf of the Sheriff’s Office, I would like to thank the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office for their attention and diligence through this investigation.”
Following the Grand Jury Indictment, a Lake County Judge issued an arrest warrant for Melodie Gliniewicz, setting bond at $50,000.00.
