As the scandal involving suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez unfolds, one of his co-defendants, Sheldon Wetherholt, claims his innocence after bailing out of Lake County jail. Wetherholt, who was arrested and posted bail yesterday, told reporters, "I don’t know this Sheriff Lopez. I don’t know him from Adam. I don’t even know where he came from," in an interview reported by WFTV. Despite the racketeering charges he faces, Wetherholt maintains that his role was limited to setting up LLCs for a business implicated in the illegal gambling investigation and claimed ignorance of any illicit activities.
Wetherholt's abrupt exit from incarceration came after his $100,000 bond was posted. Upon his release, his reluctance to speak was apparent, but he did engage with the media, stating, "I’m not going to defend myself out here." He acknowledged knowing other co-defendants Carol Cote and Sharon Federick, both of whom have already posted bail, according to a report by WESH. Statewide prosecutor Panagiota Papakos outlined during Wetherholt’s first appearance hearing that his involvement included establishing LLCs and conducting business with co-defendants.
State business records identify Wetherholt as the manager of the Fusion Social Club, LLC, which shares an address with the Eclipse Social Club, the facility alleged to be the hub of the illegal gambling operation. Court documents claim this operation was active for two years, a fact not lost on Wetherholt as he contemplates the gravity of his charges.
As the case develops, Lopez remains in jail with a bond set at $1 million. While there have been no recent court filings for his case, his attorney, Mary Ibrahim, has moved to reduce the substantial bail amount.
