A bank has frozen the memorial account set up for the family of Fox Lake, Illinois, police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz, whose "carefully staged suicide" has made national headlines.
A spokesman with BMO Harris Bank told The Daily Herald Tuesday that money in the memorial fund intended for the Gliniewicz family will be held amid an investigation into events leading up to the police lieutenant's suicide.
The fund was set up days after Gliniewicz was found dead in September. The bank didn't say exactly how much money was in the account.
Last week, an organization that helps officers' families in times of need asked that donations to the Gliniewicz family be returned.
The 100 Club sought to take back its $15,000 after the Fox Lake County sheriff’s office announced the veteran lieutenant had staged his killing after years of "extensive criminal activity."
Joe Ahern, the organization’s CEO, told NBC 5 he would be asking Gliniewicz’s widow to return the money, as it is reserved for those killed in the line of duty.
He noted, however, that it's unfair for all law enforcement to be judged by Gliniewicz's actions.
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"It’s a sad state for today for law enforcement, clearly, because a single person could bring such a negative light on the tens of thousands of men and women who divert their lives to helping others and protecting all of us," Ahern said.
Investigators said Gliniewicz had been "stealing and laundering money" from the Fox Lake Police Explorer Post for seven years and using the funds for personal purchases, mortgages, travel expenses and adult websites.
Gliniewicz's wife and son are also under investigation, according to sources close to the investigation.
"Our investigation strongly indicates criminal activity on the part of at least two other individuals," police said.
