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* Ugh…
Lake County officials who eulogized Fox Lake Police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz as a hero in the days after he died from a fatal gunshot wound, said Wednesday evidence now shows he staged his death as an apparent homicide to cover years of financial exploitation of the police Explorers post he oversaw.
George Filenko, commander of the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, called Gliniewicz’s actions the “ultimate betrayal” that included intentionally leaving a staged trail of police equipment at the crime scene in an attempt to mislead police to believe his death was a homicide.
Filenko made the comments during an exclusive Daily Herald interview before a news conference to announce the investigation’s findings that Gliniewicz took a large sum of money from Fox Lake Explorer Post 300. Thousands of dollars was used by Gliniewicz for personal purchases, including travel expenses, mortgage payments, gym memberships, adult websites, facilitating personal loans and unaccounted cash withdrawals, Filenko said.
“There are no winners here,” Filenko said. “Gliniewicz committed the ultimate betrayal to the citizens he served and the entire law enforcement community. The facts of his actions prove he behaved for years in a manner completely contrary to the image he portrayed.
Filenko said Gliniewicz was using the Explorer fund “as his personal bank account.” He added that $250,000 flowed through the account over seven years, and investigators estimated Gliniewicz took about “five figures.”
* More…
Police also say that the investigation into what happened was not over. The investigation “strongly indicates criminal activity on the part of at least two other individuals,” Filenko said, but he added that officials would not comment further on that.
The only hero of this story might be the county coroner, who tried to do his job while the police screamed about how he was hurting their investigation by releasing information.
This case just smelled funny from the beginning.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:37 am
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This is one of the most awful things I’ve read. What a disturbed individual. I had seen a clip of his son ridiculing the idea of suicide. I feel terrible for him. Everybody loses.
Comment by LincolnLounger Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:44 am
I assume the police will be issuing a full apology to the coroner and commending them for standing up against harassment and abuse from the police force?
Or is this one of those things where we’re all just supposed to shrug it off?
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:44 am
Tragic ending to a horrible story. Heartbreaking to hear the conclusions that were reached during the investigation.
Comment by Stones Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:45 am
A lot of people were screaming that President Obama and blacklivesmatter were to blame for this one.
Hopefully people will learn to back off a bit and wait for a thorough investigation before providing blame.
Comment by Gooner Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:47 am
The Coroner being marginalized was the first indicator, for me, that sonething was amiss internally, and, that the Coroner was not on the same page of keeping the investigation on the same public page.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:50 am
Pretty awful -that said, I can think of a few police “betrayals” that would rank above this “ultimate” one. Just ask the folks in Waukegan.
Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:50 am
Good on the Fox Lake Police for going with the truth, and the rule of law, rather than ignoring (or hiding) a truth that has to be somewhat embarrassing for their department. There are no winners in this story, though the rule of law has been respected. That is always good.
Comment by Concerned Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:53 am
As to the subject, I feel badly for him that he thought this was the only way to right his wrongs. It wasn’t.
(As a side thought, I appreciate how the post does a “mash up” of articles. This journalistic style and presentation gives the reader clarity and view from multiple sources. Again, this style is appreciated.)
Comment by cdog Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:55 am
A horrible revelation for his family.
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:58 am
Sad ending.
Comment by Belle Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:59 am
My deepest sympathies to the family. No matter why he did it, this is a tragedy for them.
Comment by Aldyth Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:05 am
At the time of this incident, tensions were (and remain) high in the law enforcement community. People were anxious, especially families of law enforcement personnel. They live in fear everyday that when they kiss their husband, father, wife, or mother goodbye before their shift, it might well be the last time they see them. I give the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force a lot of credit for taking time to get this right. Who cares how long it took?
What happens to be the REAL story here is that the “victim” took his own life, was willing to let three innocent people potentially take the wrap for cop murder and let his own family think he died a hero, when all he was, in the end, was a coward.
Comment by Colin O'Scopey Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:06 am
I think across Illinois municipalities will start to conduct more audits. Rauner talks about corruption at the state level, but due to lack of safeguards at the local level, no more local papers, and disengaged citizens in regards to local politics, public officials and workers abuse the system. The past year just look at Tinley Park, College of DuPage and now this. One positive thing about budget cuts might be more accountability at the local level to see how local, state, and federal funds are being used.
Comment by Almost the Weekend Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:07 am
Good on the coroner. The cops owe him an apology. Helps show why we have coroners and ME’s. When they do their jobs properly, it’s a vital link in the checks-and-balances chain.
One quote from Filenko in the Tribune stands out: “This is the first time as a law enforcement officer…that I’ve felt ashamed by the acts of another police officer.” Not to bash cops–the vast majority are good, capable, honest public servants–but there are also a few bad apples. If Filenko can’t think of anything that a cop has done that has made him ashamed, he isn’t thinking hard enough.
Comment by Smelling Coffee Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:07 am
===Who cares how long it took? ===
Unless there was some sort of an internal coverup.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:19 am
===Who cares how long it took? ===
Well, yes, there’s always that. But there clearly wasn’t a cover up in this case.
Comment by Colin O'Scopey Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:20 am
=== But there clearly wasn’t a cover up===
Didja notice that the FBI got involved the other day?
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:20 am
Believe half of what you see and nothing of what you hear. Mark Twain was right again.
Comment by Mokenavince Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:23 am
Jerk! wasting precious time and tainting the profession.
that said, the Washinton Post has done a study…and they continue to gather data….on police shootings in 2015 where there is a fatal outcome for the victim. in 74% of the cases, the victim shot first. the Post says that only 5% of these cases are situations that fall into the Baltimore/Ferguson kinds of situations where there is a cloud around the outcome.
meanwhile, shootings of police are increasing, and we know that this is a dangerous profession generally. just as one incident by a criminal should not cloud our perception of others who may fit the description of a suspect, this one incident by a very bad person should not cloud our perception of a noble profession.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:23 am
=Didja notice that the FBI got involved the other day?=
Not sure where you’re going with that statement, as I assumed the FBI was involved from the beginning. I listened to the entire press conference and I didn’t hear anything about the FBI coming in because of a potential cover-up. I concede I may have missed it, though if that’s the case.
Comment by Colin O'Scopey Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:24 am
If you go back over the progress of this investigation one thing stands out pretty clearly. Filenko was still smarting from Rudd’s findings that call into question a confession Filenko obtained from a mentally challenged young woman during an eleven-hour interrogation. Filenko and Sheriff Mark Curran intentionally blocked the coroner’s office from early investigation meetings and it only got worse when Rudd was thrown under the bus in the media by Filenko and this poor officer’s son.
This poor officer’s family has to suffer not just this tragedy, but the fact that the Sheriff’s office ginned up their ire against the coroner in public. A double betrayal.
Comment by Springfieldish Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:25 am
It sounds like there are more revelations to come and probably some indictments. Meanwhile, Officer Gliniewicz has left his family behind to face his disgrace, since his effort to fake going out in a blaze of glory has been shown for what it is. I have compassion for them.
Comment by Aldyth Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:40 am
Here’s the part that kills me. I was in a police explorers group about 45 years ago and we were lucky to have $100 in the account. Where’d the money come from and what was it’s purpose? Horrible story not far off from our former Mayor’s ..
Comment by Mouthy Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:42 am
=== Not sure where you’re going with that statement, as I assumed the FBI was involved from the beginning. ===
The feds were in heavy at first, then pulled back resources as the case went on, and then came back in heavy.
Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:47 am
A tragedy on many levels. The family has suffered a second mind numbing loss in a short period of time.
Agree with mouthy. What’s with all the money in the Explorer’s fund? I have never seen a community club with that kind of money. At least a great temptation for the weak if no one is minding the store.
Comment by plutocrat03 Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:58 am
I watched the entire news conference as well. They know who the others are because there were thousands of texts and email but they didn’t disclose the recipients. I bet there will be another news conference. I think we should hold off on feeling sorry for any individuals until there is full disclosure. The case is feeling like reality T.V.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 12:04 pm
My wife, formerly a prosecutor for Cook County, did not believe the story from the get go. The radio description of the three men was vague, not what a professional officer would say. The idea of a dismounted pursuit of 3 men by an officer in his 50’s in that terrain did not make sense. Like Rich said, smelled funny from the start.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 12:19 pm
“across Illinois municipalities will start to conduct more audits”
Too many people are unaware of basic cash handling procedures and the concept of dual control. From churches, to boosters, to Explorers, there is unbelievable opportunity for the weak-willed with poor filters.
The same person should NEVER collect, deposit, and post any cash or checks.
Look around and speak up; set a tone and environment that is not ripe for this. It could save someone’s life.
Comment by cdog Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 12:20 pm
This was the rumor that was circulating around Lake County the same week he died. Sorry to hear that it was confirmed. My take is that he was probably trying to get a larger public pension for his widow.
Criminal conviction for duty-related theft => no police pension.
Line of duty death => enhanced police pension.
Comment by Jake From Elwood Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 1:24 pm
- cdog - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 12:20 pm:
Agree about the audits needed for these types of groups. Don’t forget the school activity fund at a Springfield school that I believe lost about $100,000 to theft.
I caught a guy once at a sister organization stealing our rent checks through our routine audit. He was lucky. They allowed him to retire…
Comment by Mouthy Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 1:28 pm
I was involved in Explorers. It would not be unusual for $25-50K to go through a good-sized police Explorer group checking account over the course of a year. They buy uniforms, take trips, go to national training schools and the like. These are teens who can raise an spend a lot of contributions. When they say he took “about 5 figures” I presume that means he took $10K over the course of 5 years. Kind of easy to see how that could happen over time. Just awful.
Comment by chad Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 1:32 pm
When I was a new lawyer I used to see the errant volunteers who spent Girl Scout cookie money getting sued over in small claims court. Every year there would be at least 5 or 10. So, it happens a lot.
Comment by chad Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 1:35 pm
All the attention he was given, all the praise, etc. makes this even harsher for his family who very likely had no idea of any of it. None of it is their fault, and the coverage of this will be extremely painful. My heart goes out to them, and I hope people just leave them alone.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 1:39 pm
Police Charity To Ask Joe Gliniewicz Family For Money Back
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/11/04/police-charity-to-ask-joe-gliniewicz-family-for-money-back/
Ugly.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 2:10 pm
The investigators had no choice but to make sure there were no un-turned stones considering what they had a very long press conference to inform the final conclusions, which was very sad, disappointing, and very unlike the previous descriptions of the Lt.
I really feel for the Lt’s family. His young son’s will have to live with this memory of their father.
Comment by Third Generation Chicago Native Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 2:45 pm
“shootings of police are increasing”
Only for very weasely values of “increasing.” They were up SLIGHTLY in 2014 over 2013, which was the SAFEST YEAR IN THE HISTORY OF US POLICING. 2015 is on track to be the second-safest year in the history of policing — down from 2014. Non-deadly assaults on officers are also in decline.
From the Washington Post, as you prefer: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2015/09/10/once-again-there-is-no-war-on-cops-and-those-who-claim-otherwise-are-playing-a-dangerous-game/?tid=sm_fb
Comment by Educated in the Suburbs Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 2:50 pm
Police are on record to kill more citizens than in any prior year on record, however:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ferguson-effect-lie-article-1.2415208
Safer for cops, more dangerous for everyone else.
Comment by Educated in the Suburbs Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 2:59 pm
One positive thing about budget cuts might be more accountability at the local level to see how local, state, and federal funds are being used.
Many people have this brought out and similar type comments about handling of funds (amounts, procedures, accountability, etc.) and the use of the funds.
Sad for all involved -
Glad this story did not get covered up - have not heard much from the MSM outside Chicago.
I sure there is more to come.
Comment by Cannon649 Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 3:35 pm
I haven’t seen much coverage of one very eye-opening text chain from the released texts (linked to from your second article):
“JG: She hates me and I’ve never said more than 3 sentences to her the year shes been here…hates the explorer program and is crawling up my ass and the program, chief wont sign off to move it to american legion and if she gets ahold of the old checking account, im pretty well f***ed.
#2: Hopefully she decides to get a couple drinks in her and she gets a dui
JG: She does, but not around here and no one knows where. Trust me ive thoughit [sic] through MANY SCENARIOS from planting things to the volo bog!!!”
It’s clear from context that “she” is Fox Lake Village Administrator Anne Marrin, and the “volo bog” line sure sounds to me like a reference to murdering her and hiding her body.
Comment by Eli Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 3:59 pm
Correction, linked from the first article. Direct link is http://www.dailyherald.com/assets/pdf/DA140200114.pdf
Comment by Eli Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 4:02 pm
“Volo Bog” is a Fox Lake nature preserve: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/Parks/Pages/VoloBog.aspx
Comment by Educated in the Suburbs Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 4:54 pm
Always nice when cops who conspire with each other about how they hope to police/harass (or worse) their whistleblowers, do so in print.
Makes that thin blue line so nice and clear.
Re: all the comments about how terrible it is for his family - yes, it’s a shame that this man who professed to love them apparently cared more about curating his memory and community standing and avoiding prison than about sparing them considerable grief and violence…and/or had reason to believe that his primary worth to his family was as a paycheck.
Pretty fortunate for Anne Marrin’s family that he made the choice he did, though.
Comment by crazybleedingheart Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 5:25 pm
Rich….the smell was fishy. Maybe there is some deep pocket person in Lake Cty who will give the scouts a helping hand now that the story is in the press.
Comment by scott aster Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 5:41 pm
Tough to put this into words. The good people who put their faith, kindness and money towards this guy need to vent and grieve. Hard to find sympathy for this guy after reading the texts and emails. My sympathy to his family for hopefully not being his biggest cons.
Comment by Now What? Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 6:40 pm
Interesting twist that the Feds came through with the breakthrough evidence, the deleted texts-emails, and high tech analysis, in the past two weeks after apparently dropping off the case.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 6:43 pm
At least Rita Crundwell got to enjoy her ill gotten gains for a few years. For just the few measly bucks that GI Joe took off the top, hardly seems worth the mess he left behind.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 7:09 pm
It is a sad day when we learn that our hero has feet of clay.
Comment by William Jennings Bryan Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 8:49 pm
Fox 32 News Twitter feed now reporting the Feds are investigating Gliniwicz’s wife and son DJ regarding the embezzlement of funds. Reports on the radio earlier today say JG spent the funds on his mortgage and other personal expenses.
If what Fox 32 says is true, it’s even worse than the theft it started off as.
Comment by Lynn S. Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:36 pm