Florida Sheriff Charged in Connection with Massive $21 Million Gambling Ring
A central Florida sheriff was arrested and charged in June 2025 in connection with a money laundering and illegal gambling operation that allegedly generated more than $20 million in profits. According to the office of Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier (R), the case revolves around an alleged money laundering operation involving an unauthorized gambling house known as both Fusion Social Club and The Eclipse, which former Sheriff Marcos Lopez helped operate. By executive order, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) appointed Florida Highway Patrol’s central regional chief, Christopher Blackmon, to replace Lopez.
Long before his arrest in connection with alleged money laundering and illegal gambling, Lopez was dogged by controversy. The sheriff, who touted his law-and-order approach to policing, had been previously accused of receiving a nude photo of a coworker, overseeing officers who used excessive force in policing nonviolent crime, such as shoplifting, and lying about inappropriate social media posts showing a photograph of the corpse of a minor.
Officials accused Lopez of using his position of authority to hide his actions; typically, the county sheriff could have used his power to shut down an illegal gambling operation. The investigation into Lopez’s alleged indiscretions was a joint effort of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Tampa.
A judge ruled on June 6, 2025, that Lopez must post a $1 million bond to be released—and must prove that his bond money had not been earned in connection with his alleged crimes. Lopez paid the bond on June 27, during the same week his wife, Robin Lynn Severence Lopez, was arrested in connection with the case.
Sources: The Orlando Sentinel, Spectrum News