(The Center Square) – A Florida sheriff has been charged in a public-corruption related investigation that involved an illegal gambling operation.
Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution charged Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez and others in a massive Central Florida gambling operation on Thursday.
The charges allege that Lopez initially got involved in the gambling operation to receive campaign contributions and personal payments, but later “played a multifaceted role in expanding and protecting this illegal enterprise, using his office to shield the enterprise from law enforcement.”
“This is a solemn day for Florida and our law enforcement community. We put great trust in our constitutional officers, especially those who are our communities’ first line of defense,” Uthmeier said. “However, the law must be applied equally, regardless of position, power, or branch of government. Public servants should never exploit the public’s trust for personal gain.”
The AG’s OSP prosecutes crimes that impact two or more judicial circuits in the state and works with state and federal counterparts. Prosecutors in the office focus on complex, often large scale, organized criminal activity.
“As law enforcement, we are held to higher standards of integrity and character than other professions. This case revealed that Lopez violated the trust and integrity expected of him as the duly elected sheriff of Osceola County,” Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass said. “Florida’s sheriffs are leaders for not only their office and deputies, but for their community and the citizens that elected them.”
The charges were brought after a two-year investigation.
In 2023, Homeland Security Investigations and the FDLE launched a multi-agency investigation, which uncovered a criminal organization operating a $21.6 million illegal gambling enterprise throughout central Florida, primarily in Lake and Osceola counties.
After Lopez was elected in November 2020, he continued to advance the interests of the criminal organization and receive money from the illegal gambling proceeds for his involvement, according to the charges.
Lopez was charged with racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering.
His arrest “underscores HSI’s commitment to holding everyone, including public officials, accountable. No one, regardless of their position, is above the law,” HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge John Condon said. “Corruption undermines the integrity of public trust, HSI along with our partners are committed to combatting it.”
Other individuals listed in the charges include Ying Zhang, Sharon Fedrick, Sheldon Wetherholt, Carol Cote, charged with unlawful use of a two-communication device; and Zhang on money laundering charges.
The charges allege that Zhang, Lopez and Wetherhold operated and managed Fusion Social Club in Kissimmee, which conducted a lottery for money in violation of the law, and unlawfully possessed slot machines.
Other crimes listed include Zhang, Lopez and Wetherholt keeping gambling houses; Wetherholt, Fedrick and Cote, agents or employees of gambling houses.
From Jan. 5 through Dec. 31, 2021, the charges state that Lopez, while being a public servant, received unlawful compensation in violation of state law and intentionally obstructed or prevented a criminal investigation related to the enterprise.
Lopez, Zhang, Fedrick, Wetherholt and Cote were all charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering.
The case is being prosecuted in Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit.
