Attorney: Melodie Gliniewicz's rights being violated
A Lake County judge Thursday delayed ruling on a motion to dismiss charges against the widow of Fox Lake police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz, saying he wants until May 11 to review evidence in the case.
Melodie Gliniewicz is asking the court to throw out allegations she participated in the theft from a police youth program, arguing through her attorney that prosecutors are charging her with crimes committed by her deceased husband.
The 52-year-old Antioch Township resident faces charges of unlawful use of charitable funds, conspiracy, and money laundering, and could be sentenced to up to seven years in prison if found guilty.
During a two-day hearing that concluded Thursday, defense attorney Donald Morrison said the charges against Melodie Gliniewicz are unconstitutionally vague.
"Her due process rights are being violated," Morrison said. "She shouldn't have to go to trial. She shouldn't have to be in jeopardy at this point."
But Assistant Lake County State's Attorney Scott Turk said Melodie Gliniewicz knew about her husband's illegal use of money from Fox Lake Police Explorer Post 300, a police youth program he supervised. Turk said Melodie Gliniewicz served as the program's "chairman."
The charges center around allegations Charles Gliniewicz embezzled thousands from the Explorer program before his September 2015 suicide which was staged to appear he was killed in the line of duty.
Authorities say the veteran police officer killed himself to prevent disclosure that he was using a credit and debit card linked to the Explorer bank account to pay for restaurant bills, health club memberships, movies, adult entertainment like dating and adult websites, and for personal loans.
Melodie Gliniewicz has pleaded not guilty, saying through her attorney that she was not aware of the thefts and always repaid the Explorer account if she found out her husband had used those funds for personal expenses.