Melodie Gliniewicz trial set for July 1
The widow of disgraced Fox Lake police Lt. Charles "Joe" Gliniewicz is scheduled to face trial July 1 on allegations she helped her husband misuse thousands of dollars of a youth program's funds before his suicide in 2015.
Prosectors and attorneys for Melodie Gliniewicz returned to court Wednesday for the first time since an appellate court reversed a lower-court ruling barring from trial text messages between her and her husband.
Lake County Judge James Booras initially ruled the texts were protected by marital privilege, but an appeals court in November said he should first conduct a hearing on the issue. Booras on Wednesday scheduled that hearing for Feb. 21.
Gliniewicz, 53, of Antioch Township, is charged with unlawful use of charitable funds, conspiracy and money laundering. Authorities allege she helped her husband misappropriate funds from the Fox Lake Police Explorer youth program prior to his death. If found guilty, she could be sentenced to up to seven years in prison.
The charges surfaced after her husband was found shot to death in a secluded area of Fox Lake on Sept. 1, 2015. Investigators initially believed he died in the line of duty, but later determined he killed himself and made it appear as if he'd been gunned down.
Investigators believe Joe Gliniewicz killed himself to cover up the embezzlement. Authorities say the couple used Explorer funds to pay for a trip to Hawaii, movie tickets and restaurant charges.