FOX LAKE, Ill. – A grand jury investigating the late, disgraced Fox Lake, Illinois, cop Charles Joseph Gliniewicz has chosen to indict his widow for money fraud.
Officials say the indictment came as a result of a broader investigation into the alleged crimes committed by the former police lieutenant.
Melodie Gliniewicz, 51, is now facing a total of six charges, according to an official press release, including “three counts of Disbursing Charitable Funds without Authority and for Personal Benefit, one count of Disbursing Charitable Funds without Authority and for Personal Benefit, one count of Money Laundering, and one count of Money Laundering.”
The release says she was given an official “fiduciary role” the with the Fox Lake Police Explorer Post, which the married couple had plundered for their personal benefit.
“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 statement claims.
Joseph Gliniewicz committed suicide in September but tried to make it look like he was murdered.
Investigators said they believed the 30-year police veteran – whose death prompted a weeks-long manhunt and whose funeral drew thousands of mourners – killed himself because his criminal activity was about to be exposed.
In November, Melodie Gliniewicz had sued to have her assets unfrozen. She said she was unable to pay her mortgage, doctor bills and other family expenses.
