UPDATE: A shocking revelation has emerged in the Osceola County corruption case, as casino operator Krishna Deokaran is expected to testify that he handed an envelope of cash to Robin Severance-Lopez, the estranged wife of former Sheriff Marcos Lopez, on December 16, 2022. Deokaran allegedly stated, “This is for Marco,” during the cash exchange, which reportedly took place in the parking lot of the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
This allegation raises serious questions about the integrity of law enforcement in the region, as it suggests a direct link between the sheriff and illegal gambling activities. According to court documents filed in Lake County, the cash is believed to have originated from The Eclipse Casino, which Lopez allegedly protected in exchange for financial favors and campaign contributions.
The implications of this testimony could severely impact Severance-Lopez’s defense. Earlier this month, she declined a plea deal that would have required her to plead no contest to money laundering charges, arguing that the prosecution’s case relied heavily on a single email from 2019 linking her to conspiracy charges. If Deokaran’s claims are proven true, this could alter the landscape of the entire case against her.
Deokaran’s anticipated testimony comes amid a broader investigation into a multi-county illegal gambling enterprise that has already seen multiple arrests and charges. He was charged with money laundering connected to his casino operations, which law enforcement raided earlier this year, recovering over $138,856 in cash from The Eclipse alone.
The handoff of cash reportedly occurred shortly after Lopez appointed Deokaran as a special deputy, a designation often criticized for its political implications rather than its intended emergency use. Investigators allege that Lopez established connections between Deokaran and another alleged co-conspirator, Ying Zhang, while he was a candidate for sheriff in 2019.
The Eclipse, which opened as a hookah lounge before being transformed into a casino, has been described as a “lucrative business opportunity” for Lopez, who allegedly shielded it from scrutiny following a deadly shooting in its parking lot. Court records reveal that Lopez actively intervened on behalf of the casino, even instructing his deputies to cease business checks at the site.
As the case unfolds, Severance-Lopez faces a potential 30 years in prison if convicted on conspiracy charges, while her husband, Lopez, could face up to 60 years for racketeering. Both have pleaded not guilty to all charges, and Deokaran remains an unindicted co-conspirator in the ongoing investigation.
Lawyers for Severance-Lopez and Lopez have not commented on Deokaran’s forthcoming testimony, but the stakes are high for all parties involved. The trial proceedings, which are drawing considerable public interest, will likely continue to uncover further details about the alleged corruption within Osceola County’s law enforcement.
As the situation develops, observers and residents are left wondering how this case will impact the integrity of local governance and the future of gambling operations in Central Florida. Stay tuned for further updates as this significant story unfolds.
