Text messages show Lt. Gliniewicz was nervous about audit by village administrator prior to death



FOX LAKE -- From hero, murdered in the line of duty, to embezzling crook: Investigators have ruled the death of Fox Lake Police Lt. Joe Gliniewicz a suicide. Investigators say he took his own life in an effort to cover up years of theft and money laundering from the Fox Lake Police Department's Explorers program -- a program he led. Investigators say an audit being done by the village administrator had Gliniewicz nervous.

Lt. Joe Gliniewicz



"Gliniewicz committed the ultimate betrayal," George Filenko, Lake County Major Crimes Task Force commander said during a news conference Wednesday.

Investigators say Gliniewicz, a man known as GI Joe from his time in the military, led a double life.

"He behaved for years in a manner completely contrary to the image he portrayed," Filenko said.



Two months after Lt. Gliniewicz died, investigators said they've concluded his September 1st death was a "carefully staged suicide," made to look like a homicide in an attempt to cover up years of corruption.

READ IT: Documents in Lt. Joe Gliniewicz case, including text message transcripts

Memorial for Fox Lake Lt. Joe Gliniewicz



An investigation by the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force revealed the Fox Lake lieutenant had been stealing from the police department's Explorer program.

Police examined thousands of pages of financial documents, emails, and more than 6,500 pages of text messages in this investigation.

Investigators released a set of those text messages -- revealing Gliniewicz was nervous about the village administrator looking into finances.

Lt. Joe Gliniewicz



"If she gets ahold of the old checking account, im pretty well (expletive)," Gliniewicz wrote.

Another person responded, saying: "Hopefully she decides to get a couple of drinks in her and she gets a dui"

"Trust me ive thought though MANY SCENARIOS..." Gliniewicz wrote.

In another message, he says: "The village administrator hates me and the explorer program. This situation right here would give her the means to CRUCIFY ME it it were discovered."

On Wednesday, Fox Lake Village Administrator Anne Marrin said she was right all along.

"It only confirmed to me that the tough questions was the absolute right thing to do," Marrin said. "The community is the real victim here."

Lt. Joe Gliniewicz's wife, Mel makes remarks at his vigil



Task force investigators said during Wednesday's news conference two others were involved in criminal activity, though that inquiry is ongoing.

WGN is reporting those two people are Lt. Gliniewicz's wife, Melodie and his son, D.J. Sources tell WGN police are investigating whether Melodie and D.J Gliniewicz had any part in the embezzling scheme.

Officials didn't comment further on the other two people involved -- but sources tell WGN "Individual 1" and Individual 2" listed in the transcript of those text messages released by officials are Melodie Gliniewicz and D.J. Gliniewicz.

Memorial for Fox Lake Lt. Joe Gliniewicz