Widow Of Disgraced Cop Gets $1M Pension Settlement

FOX LAKE, IL — Melodie Gliniewicz, widow of disgraced Fox Lake police Lt. Joe Gliniewicz, will receive a $1 million settlement, which will resolve a long-standing financial and legal battle with the village of Fox Lake.

The village of Fox Lake agreed to a joint settlement agreement with the Fox Lake Pension Board to resolve the pending survivor's pension application filed by Gliniewicz, according to a news release from the village of Fox Lake. According to media reports, the settlement was roughly $1 million.

Negotiations surrounding the joint settlement agreement began in spring 2023. The village board, along with the village attorney and Fox Lake Police Pensions Board, worked to reach a resolution. At a special meeting in November 2204, the pension board granted final approval over the agreement.

On Nov. 26, 2024, Mayor Donny Schmit signed the agreement.

Village officials said that under the terms of the settlement, "the village and the pension board eliminated the risk of an adverse ruling, the cost of attorney’s fees, and reduced the cost of the survivor’s pension by potentially millions of dollars."

“This has been a difficult chapter for our village,” said Mayor Donny Schmit. “While we cannot change the past, we can choose a path forward that brings closure and represents a prudent financial decision for the Village. This agreement does just that, and we are ready to focus on the continued growth and well-being of our community.”

Joe Gliniewicz died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds in 2015 after staging the scene to look like he was gunned down in the line of duty. His death kicked off a manhunt for the three fictional suspects, and he was at first hailed as a hero — but soon, as the truth emerged, he was dubbed a thief who stole from the Fox Lake Police Explorer program for years. The stolen money was used to help pay for his mortgage, adult websites, travel, loans to friends, gym memberships and more, officials said after his death was ruled a suicide.

After his death, Melodie Gliniewicz was also charged with embezzling from the explorers program, receiving probation after pleading guilty to deceptive practices, and allowed the chance to have the felony wiped from her record through the Second Chance program.

MORE ON PATCH

• Melodie Gliniewicz Gets Probation, 'Second Chance' Program
• 'GI Joe' Gliniewicz — Fox Lake’s Shame 1 Year Later