Former Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez has been arrested and charged with racketeering and conspiracy in connection with an underground gambling enterprise. Following an investigation, it was revealed that Lopez allegedly profited hundreds of thousands of dollars and misused campaign contributions to support this illicit operation.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass emphasized the breach of trust involved, stating that law enforcement officials are expected to uphold higher standards than other professions. Following his arrest, Governor Ron DeSantis suspended Lopez and appointed Florida Highway Patrol officer Christopher Blackmon as the interim sheriff. Lopez was elected in November 2020.
Lopez pleaded not guilty to the allegations and was granted a bond set at $1 million. Prosecutors assert that he generated approximately $700,000 while overseeing the illegal gambling activities at the Fusion Social Club, which included slot machines and a lottery. Over time, this operation reportedly generated over $21.6 million.
Besides Lopez, four other individuals—Ying Zhang, Sharon Fedrick, Sheldon Wetherholt, and Carol Cote—face similar charges. It is clarified that Osceola County is not implicated in this investigation. Lopez remains in custody, with a court appearance scheduled for June 30.
Source: www.foxnews.com
