It could potentially be obtaining money under false pretenses.”

Barrington Police Chief Michael Correia

The Barrington Police Department is investigating the company hired to conduct a fund-raiser for the local police union. 

Barrington Police Chief Michael Correia said the company TCI America was soliciting donations for the local police union and was allegedly telling people that some of the money raised would benefit the Lane family in Barrington. Christine Lane and her teenage son Spencer were killed in late January in a plane crash in Washington D.C. The tragedy has been widely publicized. 

Chief Correia confirmed that the police union had hired TCI America.

“The local police department is currently soliciting donations for the union, but in no way, shape or form did the union say the proceeds would be used for the Lane family,” Chief Correia said. 

“We have contacted the Attorney General’s office, and we have started an investigation.”

The chief said the department is trying to better understand if any other organizations or residents were contacted by TCI America. and possibly misled. 

“It could potentially be obtaining money under false pretenses,” Chief Correia said. “I’m really concerned about this … no one’s going to separate a third party collecting money from the department … this has the potential to damage the reputation of the Barrington Police Department.”

Temple discovery

The Barrington Police Department received a phone call from officials at Temple Habonim on Friday afternoon, Feb. 21 regarding a suspicious condition. The temple administrator told police that the people who reached out to the temple soliciting donations for the police union had said that the money would benefit the Lane family in Barrington. 

Chief Correia said the Temple Habonim administrator told police someone by the name of Lou stopped by the temple to pick up a $2,000 donation check. The administrator said Lou made a statement that some of the money would benefit the Lane family. Police later spoke with the rabbi at the temple.

“He said that the person who called (the temple) said the Barrington Police Department was raising funds for the Lane family,” Chief Correia said. 

“It’s very concerning.”

Chief Correia said the police department union has worked with TCI America. in the past. 

“Police unions will hire companies to help raise money,” Chief Correia said. “The company you contract with receives a percentage of the proceeds.”

Chief Correia said the Barrington Police Department is very concerned about the situation. 

“I want to know the breadth of this. Is this a one-time mention of the Lane family?” Chief Correia asked. “That’s my concern. We’re going to investigate every shred of evidence we get.”

Anyone who has been contacted by TCI America. is asked to call the Barrington Police Department at 437-3937. 

Note: An earlier version of this article identified the fund-raising company as TCI, Inc.