(NewsNation) — A Florida sheriff was arrested Thursday on charges of racketeering and conspiracy as part of what state authorities described as a probe into a massive gambling operation, according to court documents.
Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was arrested on first-degree felonies and taken to the Lake County jail on no bond.
Lopez took campaign contributions and personal payments as well as protected the gambling operation, according to a statement put out by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
The organization generated more than $21.6 million in illicit proceeds.
Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Lopez in an executive order and appointed a Florida Highway Patrol official to be the county’s sheriff.
The organization received more than $21.6 million in illicit proceeds, autho