By The News Service of Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez after he was charged with racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering in a probe of illegal gambling operations.
The Office of Statewide Prosecution charged Lopez, with Attorney General James Uthmeier’s office alleging in a news release that Lopez was involved with a “criminal organization operating an illegal gambling enterprise throughout Central Florida, particularly in Lake and Osceola counties.”
The news release alleged that Lopez initially was involved with the operation for campaign contributions and personal payments and used his office to “shield the enterprise from law enforcement.”
Information attached to DeSantis’ suspension order indicated that four other defendants also were charged and that the investigation, at least in part, involved a Kissimmee establishment that did business as Eclipse Social Club. DeSantis appointed Christopher Blackmon, central region chief for the Florida Highway Patrol, to serve as Osceola County sheriff.
DeSantis Suspends Osceola Sheriff After Charges added by Staff on
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