LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – The illegal gambling investigation that led to racketeering charges being filed against Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez and five others may involve as many as five Central Florida gaming rooms, newly released court records reveal.
Lopez has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering. Each count is a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Prosecutors have accused Lopez of using his influence as sheriff to collect more than $600,000 in illicit payments while operating Eclipse Social Club, a now-shuttered gaming room in Kissimmee that allegedly housed slot machines and other illegal gambling devices…