A grand jury has indicted the widow of Fox Lake Police Lt. Charles Gliniewicz on federal money-laundering charges in connection with money that authorities say was stolen by her husband before his carefully-staged suicide.
The Fox Lake police officer, a 32-year police veteran, was on the cusp of retirement five months ago when investigators say he killed himself in an apparent attempt to stage the death as a homicide over fears that his criminal acts would be uncovered.
Melodie Gliniewicz, 52, was charged on Wednesday with acting alongside her husband in making non-business related transactions by illegally withdrawing money from a Fox Lake Police Explorer Post bank account.
“The investigation revealed money was withdrawn from the police explorer account over the course of several years,” Undersheriff Ray Rose said. “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.”
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).
According to investigators, some of the personal expenses paid from the police explorer account included a trip to Hawaii, payments to businesses such as Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and Fox Lake Theatre, as well as over 400 restaurant charges.
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