Melodie Gliniewicz Enters Guilty Plea; Sentencing Set For April

LAKE COUNTY, IL — The wife of disgraced police lieutenant Joe Gliniewicz, who killed himself in 2015 and made it look like a homicide, has pleaded guilty to a felony charge of deceptive practices.

Melodie Gliniewciz is accused of helping her husband steal thousands from the Fox Lake Police Department's Explorer's post. They used the money to pay for movie tickets, a trip to Hawaii, porn websites and restaurant charges, authorities say.

Gliniewicz was expected to head to trial next week before a plea deal was reached in the case. She will now be sentenced on April 12 in Lake County Circuit Court.

"We are very pleased that Ms. Gliniewicz is taking legal responsibility for her actions. She deceived the Fox Lake Police Explorer Club and misused their funds. Our lawyers did an excellent job of reaching this negotiation as it foregoes the need for a trial and starts to end a long chapter in this story," said Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart in a statement. "The public will be able to learn more about her and her husband's actions through a public sentencing hearing, at which each side can argue for the appropriate sentence. Her guilt is established, which is the goal of the trial."

A judge could decide to sentence Gliniewicz to conditional discharge, probation or prison.

“Throughout Lake County, the public trusts hundreds of individuals to manage millions of dollars in charitable funds. Those who violate this trust by deceiving donors and then using the money for their own purposes are committing felonies and will be prosecuted," Rinehart said.