On June 30, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis signed off on Florida’s $117.4 billion budget—but the real story lies in what he cut.

What J & Washington initially reported as federal racketeering charges against Osceola County Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez has now been revealed as a sprawling criminal conspiracy that allegedly transformed the sheriff's office into a protection racket for an illegal gambling operation.

This is a solemn day for Florida and our law enforcement community. We put great trust in our constitutional officers, especially those who are our communities' first line of defense.