Just when you thought the tragic death of Fox Lake Police Lt. Charles Joseph “Joe” Gliniewicz could not get any sadder. It does. Police now believe that Gliniewicz staged his own death to avoid being exposed as an embezzler of thousands of dollars from a youth program. Police say it was a “carefully stage suicide” that led to a massive manhunt for the assailants. To make matters worse, his wife and son who appeared devastated by the murder of Gliniewicz by unknown assailants are now under investigation themselves. There is even an allegation that he might have sought out a hitman to kill the official who was close to uncovering the the embezzlement.
Police have said evidence “strongly suggests criminal activity on the part of at least two other individuals.” It appears that they were referring to the wife and son.
Gliniewicz’s wife Melodie and son D.J. allegedly are suspected of playing a knowing role in the scheme of their husband and father. Police say that they have discovered text and Facebook messages from Gliniewicz in which he discusses his fear of exposure with this family members, though they are only identified as “Individual #1” and “Individual #2”. Police say that Gliniewicz used money for personal purposes that were meant for Fox Lake’s Police Explorer program, including a Hawaii vacation with his wife that cost up to $9,000. The pressure came after Fox Lake hired its first professional administrator, Anne Marrin to audit all the village departments, including the Explorer program.
It is unclear how much knowledge and involvement the wife and son had in the scheme. The wife is most in peril as an alleged beneficiary of the funds at this point. If the son merely had knowledge, his failure to come forward is understandable. Indeed, prosecutors will sometimes threaten charges against family members to force a plea from a parent or spouse — a practice often denounced by defense counsel. However, it is not certain if the son had more than knowledge. Clearly, both remained silent during the aftermath of the shooting while either knowing or suspecting that the shooting could have been a suicide (and without revealing the possible criminal conduct).
The result is a horrific tale and a deep sense of betrayal not only for this small town but the nation at large, which rallied around the family.
Wow. Could this whole episode get any more bizarre? While channel surfing late last night, I happened to catch a part of this story. It is now coming out that this officer tried to hire a hit man to kill the person that was auditing this program’s books. Did I really hear that or was that a part of some odd dream that I was having?
I cannot admit to something not in evidence, that being Tarantino was being judicious in his remarks. Have you heard/seen them? The clear implication is cops are murderers. I have said several times, Walter Scott was murdered and the cop was SWIFTLY arrested and charged. Eric Garner’s is not as clear cut and I defer to the criminal and civil courts in this regard. Having watched the video of Garner, I think the civil action is the most appropriate remedy.
I was interested in this case only because I am a Chicago native and lived in Chicago suburbs through my teen years when my family moved out of the area. My dad’s family (his uncle) had a summer home in the Fox Lake area and I was familiar with the area because we often visited a state park in the area. It is a shame that this formerly respected police office had to fail both is family and his community – if the findings of the investigation prove true.
What kind of people encourage / allow a “loved one” to commit suicide rather than face the consequences of their actions?
Well, golly gee, who’d have ever figured something like this could ever ever happen? Old Joe just looks like a happy well-adjusted regular guy. Who’d ever figure him to be nuttier than a fruit cake? You can look at him and tell that he’s normal. Maybe this is all some kind of satanic conspiracy to make Joe into a bad guy instead of the heroic white policeman good guy that he obviously is – you can tell that just by looking at him.
My wife did presentence investigations for the Federal Court here in Madison. Many embezzlers of govt. funds. It’s not their money, it comes free from the taxpayer’s tree.
Fogdog “Why did it take so long to uncover this?”
Everyone trusted him…just like everyone trusted Rita Crudwell in the small town of Dixon. I think she might hold the record, she embezzled $53 million!!
Then they only caught her because she went on a vacation, and someone else took over the accounts while she was gone.
Spun the intent of Django?? Please read what I said. Tarantino got crap from many black people for using “nigger” so much. I have NO problem w/ his use of the word. Samuel L Jackson and Jamie Foxx defended Tarantino as well. Spike Lee, the guy who makes bad movies[Do The Right Thing was pretty good] that flop, led the charge against Django and Tarantino. Spike counted the “niggers” and I think it was over 100. Spike came across a a jealous idiot.
This is the 2nd or 3rd time you have used your stereotype of who you think I am in accusing me of something I did not say, mean, or think. In this case, you got it ass backwards. Good enough for attorney work, I guess.
Tarantino marched w/ a hate group in NYC, even before a black cop who was killed by a felon was in the grave. Classless. He is a blind liberal. I surmise that’s why you feel compelled to defend him. I can separate his loathsome personal life from his movies. What do you think of Clint Eastwood?
Nick: I apologize if I’ve come across as stereotyping you. It’s just that your statements are fairly provocative (a euphemism for outlandish). 🙂
So, Nick: Tarantino spoke of the deaths of Walter Scott and Eric Garner as murder. It’s not an unreasonable position.
You don’t think Walter Scott’s death was at least a culpable homicide by the guy who was for some odd reason fired thereafter?
http://www.cnn.com/videos/justice/2015/04/08/ctn-dnt-lavandera-south-carolina-police-shooting.cnn
What about Eric Garner’s when NYPD policy prohibits choke holds for some odd reason, let alone when a detainiee repeatedly declares he cannot breathe:
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2014/dec/04/i-cant-breathe-eric-garner-chokehold-death-video
Can you at least answer these questions?
Best regards.
@ Steve
it would seem reasonable for the city to charge his estate for criminal conduct
I would think so. I have long been a proponent of hikers who are taking on extra ordinarily dangerous activities, mountain climbing in particular, to post a refundable bond to cover any potential costs of rescuing them when they get stuck or lost or hurt.
“This is a terrible situation. But we have to think. What would happen in these same circumstances if he were not a police officer.”
Nothing. That is what would happen. (See where all the money donated to the Clinton Foundation went)
Criminal behavior is the new normal. Hell if he was arrested and incarcerated and got out it will be illegal to ask him if he ever committed a crime so he could sign up to be the head of the United Way. He would get government housing without a question. Why do you want to persecute his family just because he is a policeman?
That’s discrimination!
DBQ,
What would happen?
Something similar to this Vulture feeding frenzy video.
trooperyork
Last night, on the local news here in St. Louis, it was announced that one of the criminals, who was caught on tape starting one of the arsons in Ferguson, was being held accountable for his illegal acts. There have been some arrests, as the videos in many of these stores yielded the faces of the perpetrators. There has been some degree of accountability, albeit, not enough. I’m not one of the commenters who expresses utter contempt for police officers, so there is no bias, on my part, against law enforcement. Theft of funds belonging to community programs should have consequences, regardless of the accused’s occupation. Arguing that the system’s failure to properly prosecute ALL criminals equates to somehow giving this officer a pass is ludicrous.
A claim against his estate perhaps?
@ SteveG
That is what I think, especially if it can be proven that the embezzlement was a joint activity. I mean if the wife knew about it and aided in the process. Plus if she knew that he had committed suicide instead of being killed in the line of duty…a horrible thought if she did know, and kept up the pretense that it was not a suicide, then perhaps also a claim against his estate.
This is a terrible situation. But we have to think. What would happen in these same circumstances if he were not a police officer.
DBQ: If the forest service can charge an innocent hiker for rescue services, it would seem reasonable for the city to charge his estate for criminal conduct. No? One would think there’s law permiting such a claim.
And steve, regarding the alleged “courage” of Tarantino. I think he was clueless about what people might think. Firstly, I’ll ask again, have you see the bloated coke addicted guy lately? Secondly, he is surrounded by like minded cop haters. He was surprised when the black people he thinks he is himself turned on him about all the “niggers” used in the manuscript of Django Unchained.
Nick: Tarantino spoke of the deaths of Walter Scott and Eric Garner as murder. It’s not an unreasonable position.
You don’t think Walter Scott’s death was at least a culpable homicide?
http://www.cnn.com/videos/justice/2015/04/08/ctn-dnt-lavandera-south-carolina-police-shooting.cnn
What about Eric Garner’s:
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2014/dec/04/i-cant-breathe-eric-garner-chokehold-death-video
What’s more, you’ve completely spun the intention of Django, which even Sidney Poitier encouraged him to make.
You’re a hopeless case. 🙂
Best regards.
steve, I have said many times Tarantino and the Coen Brothers write the best dialogue and make great movies. I have seen Pulp Fiction 25 times. I can separate the movie maker, Tarantino from the coke sniffing, vodka drinking, Asian hooker boinking, cop hating, a-hole. Have you see the dude lately? He’s out of control. And, in light of his hateful rants, that scene in Reservoir Dogs where the cop is tortured and murdered is put in a whole new light. Obviously that wasn’t a tough scene to write, the hate helped it write itself.
You have to get with the pro-criminal zeitgeist buddy.
Because people like the fake rape victim from Rolling Stone and innumerable lying victims of fake “hate crimes” cost millions of dollars in expenses. I mean look at all the cost of the looting and riots from the fake narrative “Hands Up Don’t Shoot!” Why single out this loser. Because he was a cop? Think of him as a criminal and then you will be in his corner.
I mean Obama would have given him a job as an accountant for the Justice Department or something.
Foxy cop “Joe” also was a lead trainer in mock staged crime training exercises. He knew the 3 bad guy phony story should leave foot prints, scent for K-9 dogs and other obvious clues.
Fake wild goose chase costs money and man power. Who’s going to pay? Dead men tell no tales.
Terry writes, “Fake wild goose chase costs money and man power. Who’s going to pay? Dead men tell no tales.”
Good point. A claim against his estate perhaps?