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Widow Of Fox Lake Lt. Joe Gliniewicz Charged With Money Laundering, Misuse Of Funds

(CBS) -- A grand jury indicted the widow of Fox Lake Police Lieutenant Joe Gliniewicz Wednesday on charges of using funds from the Fox Lake Police Explorers Post, according to the Lake County Sheriff's office and the Lake County state's attorney.

Prosecutors say Melodie Gliniewicz held a fiduciary role with Explorers and is accused of using money from the post to pay for a number of personal expenses, including a trip to Hawaii and more than 400 restaurant charges. Authorities say she embezzled somewhere between $10,000-$100,000 from the Explorers program from 2008-14.

In September of last year, Joe Gliniewicz killed himself in what investigators later called a carefully staged suicide. In November, investigators revealed that he was under investigation for stealing money from the village and the Explorers Post. Text messages from Gliniewicz also revealed an apparent plan to have a hit placed on Anne Marrin, the village administrator investigating Gliniewicz.

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Melodie Gliniewicz, 51, was indicted on three counts of disbursing charitable funds without authority and for personal benefit (class 2 felony), one count of disbursing charitable funds without authority and for personal benefit (class 3 felony), one count of money laundering (class 2 felony), and one count of money laundering (class 3 felony).

CBS Legal Analyst Irv Miller says it will come down to her intent.

"Did she intend to rip off the charity? Did she intend to help her husband rip off the charity or does she have some type of innocent explanation as to why why the money went from the charity to her bank account," Miller said.

Attorneys for Melodie issued a statement saying, "Considering Melodie's cooperation with law enforcement, she is devastated by the decision to bring charges against her. Melodie is a victim of her husband's secret actions and looks forward to her day in Court to show the world her innocence."

After the indictment, Melodie was taken into custody and Wednesday she bonded out of jail. Her next court date is scheduled for February 3.

"This entire matter has been a sad and tragic saga for the Village of Fox Lake," said Lake County State's Attorney Mike Nerheim in a statement. "My hope is that we will be able to close this unfortunate chapter and move forward with ensuring a professional and transparent police department dedicated to the citizens of Fox Lake."

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