Sheriff Carmine Marceno having Sex on Duty in LCSO issued Police Car ???????????

Unregistered · 08-20-2019, 06:35 PM

Former Lee sheriff Rod Shoap files state ethics complaint against Sheriff Carmine Marceno

Michael Braun, Fort Myers News-Press Published 7:00 a.m. ET Aug. 20, 2019 | Updated 1:49 p.m. ET Aug. 20, 2019

A former Lee County sheriff has filed a complaint with the state ethics commission against the county's chief law enforcement officer, Carmine Marceno, claiming he behaved inappropriately and violated state statutes.

Rodney Shoap, who was sheriff of Lee County from 2001 to 2004 and now lives in Spring Hill, Tennessee, filed the complaint Monday and provided a notarized copy to The News-Press.

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"Today I mailed a complaint to the Florida Commission on Ethics in reference to an investigation conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Office of Executive Investigations (OEI) against appointed Sheriff Carmine Marceno," Shoap said in a statement.

As a rule, the Florida Commission of Ethics neither confirms or denies complaints until they are resolved. No timeline is generally given for resolution.

The independent, nine-member Commission oversees standards of conduct for officers and employees of Florida and its political subdivisions and is responsible for investigating and issuing public reports on complaints of breach of the public trust by public officers and employees.

The Commission also renders legally binding advisory opinions interpreting ethics laws and has an investigative section that delves into complaints of alleged violations of ethics laws.

Shoap based the complaint on an FDLE investigation into a relationship between Marceno, 47, and Deanna Williams, 44. Williams had filed a paternity lawsuit against Marceno in November.

The FDLE investigated the allegation at William's request and "determined the information provided did not constitute a criminal predicate that would warrant a criminal investigation" at this time, according to a five-page summary.

The FDLE's investigation into Williams' complaint was opened Jan. 16 and closed Jan. 23. Investigators interviewed Williams about her complaints, and she provided insight into many aspects of their short-lived relationship.

More: FDLE won't pursue criminal investigation against Lee Sheriff Marceno for alleged 'threats' in paternity suit

"Rod Shoap has allied himself with my opponent, these accusations are politically motivated and have been previously proven false," Marceno said Monday. "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 he has never met Williams and has only spoken to her briefly and recently on the phone. He confirmed he does support the candidacy of Jim Leavens for sheriff. Leavens is a former member of the Lee County Sheriff's Office, last serving as a major.

The gist of the ethics complaint was the behavior of Marceno after Williams went to the Sheriff's Office Economic Crimes Unit to file a criminal complaint and request an investigation.

Additionally, according to the complaint, Marceno, at the time with the rank of undersheriff, interjected himself into the investigation, contacted Williams while he was off duty and subsequently began a relationship with her while she was a victim in the process of reporting a crime.

Other parts of the ethics complaint included claims by Williams that there was a relationship between Marceno and Williams. It claims that during that time there was intimate activity between the two in his unmarked Lee County Sheriff's Office vehicle placing him in an on-duty status and while she had the status of a victim reporting a crime.

In the complaint, Shoap said his issue with Marceno included that the alleged behavior was inappropriate and a violation of Florida State Statutes. He said other law enforcement officers, including former members of the Lee County Sheriff's Office, had been disciplined and lost their law enforcement certificates for similar acts.

"It is my position to ask the Ethics Commission to intervene with a full and proper investigation and to prepare a report detailing all information readily available for public view," Shoap's complaint states.

Furthermore, the complaint asks that if violations of Florida law were uncovered that they be referred for prosecution.

Lastly, in the complaint, Shoap said if the allegations are found to be untrue "clear the air so the citizens of this county can know the facts and move forward.

The former sheriff also said he has never met Marceno.

"I don't know him," Shoap said. "I'm not trying to pit myself against him. I'm not picking on Carmine, but these are pretty serious allegations."

He said his major concern was the ethics of what may have transpired because any sexual contact between the two could have been consensual.

Shoap added that as a former law enforcement officer, he was surprised at the FDLE investigation and thought it should have delved deeper.

Asked why he was filing the complaint, Shoap said he felt compelled to make Lee County safe for those who live, work and visit here.

"We worked diligently for years to be the best, most respected law enforcement agency in (Southwest Florida). This behavior from the CEO, if true, licenses it for every person in uniform," Shoap said. "Once we lose public trust our entire support mechanism is gone and law enforcement as we know it will be destroyed. My friends and family and citizens deserve the finest."

Williams, in response to the complaint, said the filing speaks for itself.

"Every crime victim should be able to trust that she can seek the assistance of law enforcement without being pursued for sexual contact by a law enforcement officer," she said. "I hope for equal access to justice and a full and transparent ethics investigation on behalf of myself and all women who have been impacted."

At an Aug. 7 hearing, lawyers for Marceno moved to dismiss the paternity suit and Magistrate Steven L. Studybaker said he would review the case and make a decision. A lawyer for Williams said she would likely not oppose a dismissal on grounds that the baby involved was stillborn.

The infant she claimed Marceno fathered with her, which was due to be born in April or May, was stillborn.

Connect with this reporter: MichaelBraunNP (Facebook) @MichaelBraunNP (Twitter

Unregistered · 08-20-2019, 08:03 PM

Fort Myers News Press, November 14th, 2001 - “Shoap’s visits to aide raises questions” Lynda Van Bibber affair.

Fort Myers News Press “Turkey of the Year, Sheriff Rod Shoap” award winner for 2003 and 2004.

Fort Myers News Press, November 5th, 2003, “Shoap sorry after fuss over uniform”. Loaned uniform for Halloween costume.

During term as Sheriff of Lee County from 2000-2004, Rod Shoap referred to deputies as MayTag repairmen.

Fort Myers News Press, March 11th, 2004, Campaign door had charges dropped, Dismissal of Lee County DUI case called into question. Donors charges dropped at direction of Rod Shoap.

Naples Daily News, August 26th, 2008, “Sheriff Scott crushes former boss in a Lee blowout” 90% to 10%, Rod Shoap moves from area.

Fox 4 News, May 7th, 2019, Jim Leavens endorsed by former Lee County Sheriff Rod Shoap.

Fox 4 News, August 19th, 2019, Ex-sheriff Rod Shoap files ethics complaint against Sheriff Carmine Marceno.

Anyone see a trend here? Rod Shoap is pissed off at Mike Scott that requested Carmine Marceno to be appointed as Lee County Sheriff. Rod Shoap’s own words, “ I have never met him”.

Unregistered · 08-20-2019, 09:43 PM

Your forgot the duck vs eagle awards, guy is and was a total d I c k

Unregistered · 08-20-2019, 11:15 PM

So your saying the only option is Jim Leavens? That’s hilarious!!!!!!

Unregistered · 08-20-2019, 11:30 PM

Is this the same Shoap who was sneaking around on duty sleeping with employees in hotel rooms

Unregistered · 08-20-2019, 11:45 PM

IF, and it was a HUGE IF, Jim Leavens was able to run and be elected sheriff, dogcatcher, or grand wizard he blew it in 2020, 2024 and for good. Who in the he(( is Leavens campaign manager? Must be Elmer Fudd cause you can't screw things up any worse. Shoap's support cost him the other half of the agency on the fence and wait till the public reminisces his ON DUTY affair (remember Shoapies saying a sheriff is always on duty so his affair with a fellow employee doesn't qualify?) He covered up DUI's and crimes for money, falsified reports, called his agency deputies Maytag repair men and said he didn't need the agency to win. AND his strong Southern Baptist ties to the same white is right pastors lost him the minority vote.

What's your next stupid move Leavens? Maybe you can ride in the next Edison Parade with former Sheriff McStoogeall both holding abortion is murder signs again. Your topping them in becoming one of the most despised former LCSO losers

Unregistered · 08-21-2019, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Is this the same Shoap who was sneaking around on duty sleeping with employees in hotel rooms

Since you bring up that alleged affair, please discuss the topic of how many current and former employees in leadership at the SO engaging in Polyamory:

POLYAMORY: (Literally, poly many + amor love) The state or practice of maintaining multiple sexual and/or romantic relationships simultaneously, with the full knowledge and consent of all the people involved. Polyamorous: of or related to the practice of polyamory, as in polyamorous relationship: a relationship involving more than two people, or open to involvement by more than two people; polyamorous person: a person who prefers or is open to romantic relationships with more than one partner simultaneously.