LEE COUNTY, Fla. — Former Lee County Sheriff Rodney Shoap said even though The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) closed their criminal investigation into Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, the state should investigate possible ethical violations and alleged women should share their experiences with him.
FDLE’s investigation into Marceno outlines statements from Deanna Williams. Williams is the woman who said Marceno got her pregnant and tried to force her to get an abortion.
She shared her concerns with Fox 4 in November. She said other women reached out to her who claim they also had sex with Marceno.
According to the FDLE investigative report, “She [Williams] was contacted by women who Marceno has [sic] either had sex with or made sexual advances towards after their dealings with law enforcement due to drug or alcohol related incidents.”
Shoap said the Florida Commission on Ethics should look into Marceno allegedly using an official car to have sex with Williams, and allegedly having sex with other women who came to LCSO.
According to the report, interviews with Williams revealed, “...he always wanted to have sex in public and in his official vehicle. They often went on dates in his official vehicle."
“Those are the kinds of questions that need to be asked,” said Shoap. “And if those other ladies would come forward with their information, we can find out what’s true and what isn’t true.”
Shoap added Marceno should cooperate with a potential investigation.
“We need to hold everyone’s feet to the fire to the highest ethical standard,” he said. “I would participate with the investigation to clear my name about who I am and how hard I’m working to serve people.”
It’s also important to note Shoap has endorsed Marceno’s opponent for sheriff, Jim Leavins, in the 2020 election. In a statement Tuesday, Marceno called Shoap’s accusations politically motivated and said he’s focused on the safety of people living in Lee County.
“Rod Shoap has allied himself with my opponent. These accusations are politically motivated and have been previously proven false. I am disappointed that my opponent continues to stoop to this level. As always, my primary focus is the safety and security of the residents of Lee County.”
Shoap said Marceno should focus on earning the public’s trust.
“Don’t worry about whether I’m politically motivated. Worry about proving that you didn’t do any of this, so that people can start trusting you,” he said.
Shoap filed the ethics complaint Monday. It’s unclear as of Tuesday night if Florida Commission on Ethics will open an investigation into Marceno.
