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By Richard Luthmann
Just weeks before the November 5 election, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno faces allegations, but his supporters believe these claims won’t change the outcome. Mike Hollow, a non-party affiliated write-in candidate, has leaked accusations of money laundering and misappropriation of taxpayer funds, which he says are under FBI investigation.
Marceno, however, has dismissed these claims as politically motivated attacks designed to weaken his campaign.
Hollow, a former 17-year veteran of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, has positioned himself as a whistleblower exposing corruption within Marceno’s administration.
However, several Republican Party officials argue that Hollow is backed by “Democrats, progressives, and other leftist elements” aiming to bring down a tough-on-crime sheriff. Marceno’s supporters insist this is a last-ditch attempt by political opponents to unseat him.
Still, the sheriff focuses on his law-and-order platform, aligning with President Donald Trump, Governor Ron DeSantis, and the Republican Party’s "Make America Safe Again" agenda.
LEAKED RECORDINGS AND ACCUSATIONS
The allegations against Marceno come from Bonita Springs jeweler Ken Romano, a former associate of the sheriff. Romano claims that Marceno paid him $5,700 a month under a no-show consulting contract, $1,700 of which Romano says he funneled to Marceno’s father for car payments on a Mercedes Benz.
"Every month I would just give his father the money," Romano said in a leaked recording. "I would take cash, I would throw it on top of the medicine cabinet, and [Marceno Sr.] would come in and take it."
Romano also alleges that he bailed Marceno out of gambling debts and provided expensive jewelry to Marceno and his family. These recordings, shared by Hollow, have reportedly been submitted to the FBI, though the agency has not confirmed an investigation.
"There is an active federal investigation that Ken [Romano] is part of," Hollow said. "He’s been given explicit direction not to talk to anybody about it."
MARCENO DISMISSES CLAIMS AS POLITICAL ATTACKS
In response, Marceno has vehemently denied the accusations, labeling them part of a political smear campaign.
"It’s unfortunate that politics have reached this level. These politically motivated and baseless claims from a disgruntled former employee are untrue," Marceno said.
Marceno has positioned himself as a staunch defender of law and order, aligning closely with Trump, DeSantis, and the Republican Party. His supporters argue that Hollow, despite running as a non-party affiliated candidate, is being used by Democrats and progressives who want to dismantle the sheriff’s tough-on-crime policies.
"They hate him because he’s effective," said one local Republican official. "Democrats and progressives want softer policies, but Marceno has kept Lee County safe. That’s what matters."
MORE ACCUSATIONS RE-EMERGE
Beyond the financial accusations, additional rumors have re-surfaced. Marceno has previously been accused of sending photos of a Lamborghini to women he was romantically pursuing, falsely implying the car was his. A woman now living in Texas also accused Marceno of sexual violence years ago, although no formal charges were ever filed, and Marceno has denied the allegations.
Despite the barrage of accusations, new and re-hashed, Marceno’s base remains loyal. His supporters see these claims as politically motivated attempts to derail a successful sheriff who has delivered results for Lee County.
"The only way Marceno can lose this election is if they find him in bed with a dead girl or a live boy," said a local political consultant. "The people of Lee County know he’s been tough on crime, and that’s what they care about."
LEADING THROUGH HURRICANE IAN
One of Marceno’s defining moments in office came during the recovery efforts after Hurricane Ian. As Lee County was devastated by the storm, Marceno took a hard stance on looters, earning national attention.
"If someone makes that grave mistake and they choose to loot, they might be able to walk into someone’s home... But they will be carried out," Marceno said in an October 3 press conference, just days after the hurricane made landfall.
His tough rhetoric and the sheriff’s hands-on approach to the recovery efforts have endeared him to many in the community. Marceno regularly posted updates on social media, showcasing the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) work on the ground, arresting looters, and distributing supplies.
His widespread social media presence helped further cement his reputation as a no-nonsense sheriff who takes action. While some criticized Marceno for grandstanding during the crisis, others praised him for keeping Lee County safe during a chaotic time.
"He’s out there every day, doing the work," said one supporter. "He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty, and he’s not afraid to stand up to criminals."
MARCENO’S TOUGH-ON-CRIME LEGACY
Marceno’s reputation as a tough-on-crime sheriff extends far beyond handling Hurricane Ian. Known for his theatrical policing style, Marceno frequently posts videos of police raids, arrests, and drug busts on social media. In these videos, he often places signs outside of raided homes, declaring, "This drug house is closed."
Marceno has also garnered attention for advertising the "Marceno Motel," on paddywagons used to transport suspects to jail. His department frequently shares updates about these arrests, informing the public about those being taken into custody.
While some critics argue that his methods are more about self-promotion than effective law enforcement, his supporters see him as the law-and-order sheriff they need.
"He’s tough on crime, and that’s what we need in Lee County," said one local resident.
Marceno’s supporters argue that Hollow and his alleged left-wing backers are using these allegations to promote a softer approach to law enforcement.
"They want to undermine Marceno because he’s been effective," said a Republican Party official. "But Lee County voters want safety and security, not soft-on-crime policies."
ELECTION OUTLOOK: ALLEGATIONS UNLIKELY TO SWAY VOTERS
As the election nears, many believe the accusations against Marceno will unlikely affect the outcome. Lee County has long been a conservative stronghold, and Marceno’s alignment with Trump and DeSantis has only strengthened his support base.
For his supporters, the allegations are nothing more than a politically motivated smear campaign aimed at unseating a sheriff who has kept their community safe.
"This is all about politics," said one political analyst. "Even if there’s some truth to the claims, the timing is too convenient. Voters are smart enough to see through it."
Marceno’s backers remain confident that he will win reelection, pointing to his record on crime and his leadership during Hurricane Ian as proof of his effectiveness.
"We trust him to keep Lee County safe," said one resident. "These accusations won’t change that."
Despite the swirl of accusations, Sheriff Carmine Marceno focuses on his campaign, emphasizing his law-and-order message. As the election approaches, his supporters are confident that the people of Lee County will stand by their sheriff, ensuring that he remains in office to protect their community.
For Marceno, the election is about more than keeping his position—it’s about upholding the values of law and order in Lee County. His supporters believe that the accusations won’t matter and that, come November 5, Marceno will emerge victorious.
Leftist Smear Campaign Targets Law-and-Order Sheriff