KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Osceola County on Thursday announced in a statement that its sheriff’s office will undergo a forensic audit following the arrest of suspended Sheriff Marcos Lopez, who was recently arrested in connection with an illegal gambling operation.
Lopez was arrested in early June on one count of racketeering and one count of conspiracy to commit racketeering, both of which are first-degree felonies.
[VIDEO BELOW: Wife of Lopez was ‘honorable’ deputy]
Lopez was released from the Lake County Jail three weeks later when he posted a $1 million bond.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Lopez from his role as sheriff and named Christopher Blackmon as Osceola County’s interim sheriff.
According to the statement, Blackmon informed the county manager that he would like the agency to be audited.
[VIDEO BELOW: Marcos Lopez released on $1M bond]
The county released the following statement about the audit:
“County Manager Don Fisher and Sheriff Christopher Blackmon recently met to discuss key matters of importance to the Sheriff’s Office, including its budget, which is soon due for County review and approval later this year.
“During these discussions, Sheriff Blackmon expressed interest in having a forensic audit conducted regarding certain aspects of the Sheriff’s Office, and the County Manager agreed to provide the funds necessary to engage a qualified auditor that specializes in law enforcement and forensic audits.
“The ultimate decision to engage the auditor remains in Sheriff Blackmon’s purview.
“The County continues to support Sheriff Blackmon and the heroic men and women of the Sheriff’s Office.”
No other details have been released.