VIDEO: Prosecutors Reviewing All Cases Involving Gliniewicz

Lake County prosecutors have begun reviewing all cases linked to Fox Lake Police Lt. Joe Gliniewicz, in the wake of revelations he was embezzling funds from the department’s Explorers program before killing himself.

Lake County State’s Attorney Mike Nerheim Nerheim has identified 13 convictions since 2008 in which Gliniewicz had been mentioned in police reports. He said the review is a precautionary measure in light of the taint now associated with the once-celebrated cop known as G.I. Joe.

Kent College Law professor Richard Kling told CBS Chicago the defendants in those cases might have a new argument their convictions should be overturned. He said whether Gliniewicz’s involvement in a particular case warrants an appeal depends on the circumstances.

"His name will be no basis for an appeal. How instrumental he was in terms of the crime scene, and investigation, and whether he was in charge of the crime scene investigation, that becomes more problematic. I certainly, if I were a defense lawyer in one of those cases, would be in court asking for a total review," he said.