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A former Florida sheriff has been charged with racketeering and conspiracy after an investigation into an illegal gambling operation.
Ex-Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was arrested Thursday on first-degree felony prices over accusations he pocketed a whole lot of hundreds of {dollars} and used marketing campaign contributions to maintain the alleged gambling operation afloat.
“As legislation enforcement, we’re held to increased requirements of integrity and character than different professions,” Florida Division of Legislation Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass stated in an announcement. “This case revealed that Lopez violated the belief and integrity anticipated of him because the duly elected sheriff of Osceola County.”
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Marcos Lopez in courtroom Friday. (FOX 35)
Fox Information Digital has reached out to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Workplace for remark.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Lopez after his arrest and appointed a Florida Freeway Patrol officer, Christopher Blackmon, as interim sheriff. Lopez was elected in November 2020.
Lopez pleaded not responsible Friday to the fees, and he was given a $1 million bond, in accordance with FOX 35.
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Marcos Lopez was elected in November 2020. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel through AP)
Prosecutors alleged Friday that Lopez took in as a lot as $700,000 whereas working the illegal enterprise, which included slot machines, a lottery and a “gambling house” out of a enterprise referred to as the Fusion Social Membership in Kissimmee.
Lopez remained in custody as of Friday afternoon, and he’s subsequent anticipated in courtroom June 30.
Lopez remained in custody as of Friday afternoon, and he’s subsequent anticipated in courtroom June 30. (Lake County Jail/FOX 35; Google Maps)
The illegal gambling operation allegedly generated greater than $21.6 million over time.
Along with Lopez, 4 others — Ying Zhang, Sharon Fedrick, Sheldon Wetherholt and Carol Cote — face the identical racketeering and conspiracy prices.
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Osceola County shouldn’t be implicated within the investigation.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
