Sheriff Carmine Marceno has issued his first response to allegations of money laundering and misappropriation of taxpayer funds.
Marceno is accused of funneling taxpayer dollars from the department to his family members.
LEHIGH ACRES GAZETTE first reported the possible FBI investigation on Friday, and Marceno responded to the claims Monday after the former Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott and Monday two commissioners called the allegations against him serious.
However, Marceno said in a statement that the claims are baseless.
Ken Romano was made an honorary deputy by Marceno, who paid him to work as a consultant.
Romano said in a recording he was instructed to return some of his salary to Marceno.
“I gave him tons and tons of jewelry. His grandmother, you know, a $40,000 ring. I did a lot of good things for him,” Romano said.
Romano claimed in the recording that the sheriff paid him $5,700 a month and instructed him to give back $1,700 to Marceno’s father to pay for a car.
“I said, ‘Can that be considered money laundering or misappropriation of tax dollars?’ And he said, ‘Yeah.’ I said, ‘That’s crazy.’ Now, I just got myself involved in a crime,” Romano can be heard saying in the recording.
It is a crime that former 17-year veteran Deputy Mike Hollow, who is running against the sheriff, said is being investigated by the FBI after he turned over the recording.
“Eventually, Mr. Ramano and I sat down with the FBI on May 21st of 2024,” Hollow told LEHIGH ACRES GAZETTE.
The FBI told LEHIGH ACRES GAZETTE in a statement that it would neither confirm nor deny an investigation against Marceno.
Scott, who helped put Marceno in the job, called the allegations serious and said Marceno is best suited to address it.
On Monday, two Lee County Commissioners expressed concern.
“These are serious allegations, and I think it’s important to gather all of the facts before making any conclusions. I believe in due process and trust the legal system to handle this thoroughly,” said Commissioner Brian Hamman.
“I don’t know if the allegations have any merit. I believe we should let an investigation take place,” said Commissioner Kevin Ruane.
Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass said he had no comment.
“I am not able to comment because I never saw an actual complaint. So, for now, no comment,” Pendergrass wrote.
Commission Chairman Mike Greenwell did not respond to our request for comment.
However, the sheriff responded late Monday afternoon, denying the allegations, although he did not say whether the FBI was investigating the matter.
“It’s unfortunate that politics have reached this level. These politically motivated and baseless claims from a disgruntled former employee are untrue. It’s sad that some people would engage in such vicious personal attacks for political purposes,” Marceno’s office responded.
FGCU constitutional law professor Dr. Pamela Seay said it would be normal during an FBI investigation for those involved not to talk on the record.
“Although it seems abnormal for him (Marceno) because he is a very vocal participant,” Seay said.
Seay says it would be common for someone being investigated not to talk about the allegations.
“With an active investigation, it’s more likely than not that all participants, including the sheriff, have been asked not to comment until the investigation is complete,” Seay said.
LEHIGH ACRES GAZETTE did ask the sheriff for a sit-down interview. He has not agreed to that.
We have also requested numerous documents from LCSO as we continue to investigate these allegations.