Lawyer seeks dismissal of charges against officer's widow

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (FOX 32AP) - A Lake County judge says he will rule next month on a motion to dismiss criminal charges against the widow a suburban Chicago police officer who authorities say staged his suicide.

Melodie Gliniewicz was charged after her husband, Fox Lake police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz, died Sept. 1. Authorities say he staged his suicide because he feared discovery of his embezzlement of a youth program.

Melodie Gliniewicz is charged with felony money laundering and misuse of charitable funds. The charges are tied to allegations that more than $10,000 was misspent from accounts intended for the now-defunct Explorers chapter her husband ran. The money was spent on everything from a Hawaiian vacation to drinks at Starbucks.

Defense attorney Donald Morrison argued Tuesday Judge Victoria Rossetti the state is "attempting to charge Melodie Gliniewicz, who has pleaded innocent, for the actions of her late husband. Assistant State's Attorney Scott Turk disputed the argument, saying she and her husband acted together so she can be held responsible..

The judge says she'll announce whether to dismiss the charges on June 14, which is just two weeks before the case is scheduled to go to trial.