Defendant in Gambling Case Accuses Ex-Wife of Former Osceola Sheriff of Collusion
Evidence has been brought forward that could connect the ex-wife of Former Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez, Robin Severance-Lopez, to the ongoing case against the former sheriff.
Former Osceola County Sheriff
Marcos Lopez
Robin Severance-Lopez
Lopez, along with two alleged accomplices, has been arrested on suspicion of running an illegal gambling ring across three counties.
After the arrest of the former sheriff, Severence-Lopez was also taken into custody with charges of conspiracy to use or invest proceeds tied to racketeering.
Severence-Lopez was also taken into custody
with charges of conspiracy
Severance-Lopez refused a plea deal, where she would have to testify against her husband and be on probation.
This deal would have had Severance-Lopez relieved of the racketeering charges as well as lying to a judge.
relieved of the racketeering charges
Her lawyers have made the argument that the only connection to Severance-Lopez is the LLC, which her husband allegedly created under her name, to acquire assets from the gambling ring.
which her husband allegedly created under her name
The accusations against Severance-Lopez are coming from Deokoran, one of the alleged accomplices of the former Sheriff.
Any involvement with the illegal gambling ring has been denied by Severance-Lopez.
Exploiting the Law
Marcos Lopez, the former sheriff, was arrested in June along with two supposed co-conspirators for allegedly running illegal gambling cafes in three states.
along with two supposed co-conspirators for allegedly running illegal gambling cafes
Although he was celebrated as the country’s first Hispanic sheriff, his motivations for taking up the position are believed to have been disingenuous.
country’s first Hispanic sheriff
Lopez is currently being charged with racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering.
After the arrest, Lopez lost his position as the county sheriff.
Lopez lost his position as the county sheriff
The Illegal Gambling
Florida has been plagued by illegal gambling, some of which pretends to be arcades.
some of which pretends to be arcades
There are many legal options available to people.
The penalties for those who are found to be running similar illegal gambling rings are not very severe.
who are found to be running similar illegal gambling rings
The investigation, which uncovered the gambling ring, began in 2023.
which uncovered the gambling ring, began in 2023
It is believed that the gambling ring first began its operations in 2019 and continued its illegal activities till 2024.
operations in 2019 and continued its illegal activities till 2024
Leading the investigation were Homeland Security Investigations as well as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Homeland Security Investigations
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Other than Lopez, several others also face charges of racketeering and conspiracy.
Reportedly, Lopez, along with Krishna Deokaran and Ying Zhang, allegedly opened an illegal gambling establishment under the guise of an arcade.
Krishna Deokaran
Ying Zhang
The gambling ring was located in Kissimmee, known under the names the Fusion Social Club or the Eclipse Social Club.
Fusion Social Club or the Eclipse Social Club
Supposedly, they had been using it as a front while secretly operating an illegal slot machine business.
