UPDATE: In a stunning revelation, key witness Krishna Deokaran is expected to testify that he handed an envelope of cash directly to Robin Severance-Lopez, the estranged wife of former Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez, on December 16, 2022. This accusation suggests a deeper involvement in a multi-county illegal gambling enterprise, with serious implications for all parties involved.
Deokaran claims he told Severance-Lopez, “This is for Marco,” as he allegedly delivered cash proceeds from The Eclipse casino in a parking lot outside the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. If confirmed, this explosive testimony could significantly impact Severance-Lopez’s defense, particularly after she recently rejected a plea deal linked to broader racketeering charges against her husband.
The cash handoff is reported to have included funds directly tied to the illicit operations of The Eclipse, which was purportedly protected by Lopez in exchange for personal payments and campaign contributions. Prosecutors allege that the handover coincided with the day Lopez appointed Deokaran as a special deputy, further complicating the narrative of corruption.
According to court documents filed by the Office of Statewide Prosecution in Lake County, this alleged exchange was part of a larger conspiracy that could see Severance-Lopez facing up to 30 years in prison if convicted. Meanwhile, Lopez himself could be sentenced to a staggering 60 years for his role in the racketeering scheme.
Deokaran, who has been charged with money laundering related to the gambling enterprise, pleaded not guilty. His testimony comes at a critical juncture, as Severance-Lopez’s attorney, Michelle Yard, previously argued that the prosecution’s case rested on a single email from 2019 connected to another alleged co-conspirator, Ying Zhang. The email, which contained a W-9 tax form, was said to facilitate the funneling of thousands of dollars to Lopez through a business owned by Severance-Lopez.
Yard described the plea deal, which would have required Severance-Lopez to plead no contest to two counts of money laundering, as “inappropriate.” The collapse of this offer now places Severance-Lopez’s fate in jeopardy, especially with the emergence of new allegations against her.
The Eclipse casino has been a focal point for authorities, reportedly chosen by Lopez as a lucrative business opportunity following a violent incident. Investigators allege that Lopez sought to protect the casino from scrutiny, even intervening to halt business checks conducted by his own deputies, as outlined in a comprehensive 255-page affidavit detailing the allegations against him.
The broader implications of this case are staggering. Deokaran’s previous business dealings with Lopez date back three years before he became sheriff, aiming to expand a casino operation across Central Florida. Following a federal raid on The Eclipse on August 27, 2024, Deokaran lost $138,856 in cash, a fraction of the total $1.1 million seized from his other properties.
As this situation develops, all eyes will be on the upcoming testimony from Deokaran and the potential fallout for Severance-Lopez and Lopez himself. Both have adamantly maintained their innocence, but the stakes have never been higher. With the possibility of lengthy prison sentences looming, the urgency of this unfolding drama is palpable, and the community is left to grapple with the implications of corruption at such high levels of law enforcement.
Stay tuned for updates as this critical story continues to evolve.
