Melodie Gliniewicz's pension, prosecution battles
Melodie Gliniewicz has been in the spotlight since authorities said her husband, Fox Lake police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz, killed himself to cover up the theft of funds from Fox Lake Law Enforcement Explorer Post 300. Here is an update of the key issues she faces.
Legal troubles:
Melodie Gliniewicz, 51, of Antioch Township is scheduled to go to trial in November on felony counts of conspiracy, unlawful use of charitable funds for personal gain, and money laundering. She also faces a misdemeanor count of conspiracy. The charges are linked to her husband's theft of funds from the Fox Lake Explorer post before his death. If found guilty of all charges at trial, she could be sentenced to a maximum seven years in prison, authorities said. The charges are also probationable. She pleaded not guilty to the charges and her attorneys denied she had any wrongdoing. Documents show Joe Gliniewicz was Post 300's director and she served as a citizen adviser. She was charged in January after an investigation into her deceased husband showed they had been using post funds for their own purposes, authorities have said.
Pension debate:
The village's five-member police pension board has delayed a decision on how much pension money to award Gliniewicz's family until after Melodie Gliniewicz's criminal case is resolved. She filed in April to collect the nearly $70,000 annual payment for her husband's death. Under current law, she would receive 75 percent of his $93,000 annual salary based on his more than 30-year career. The only factor that reduces an officer's right to a pension is a conviction for a job-related felony, experts say, but Joe Gliniewicz wasn't convicted of any crimes. The case also inspired bills filed in the state Senate by Sen. Pamela Althoff and in the House by Rep. David McSweeney that would prevent someone from collecting survivor pension benefits if they are convicted of a felony linked to a spouse's official duties. If legislation is enacted, it would affect future cases, McSweeney said.