NBC2 uncovered the federal subpoena in connection with the FBI investigation into Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno.
Numerous sources say the FBI served a subpoena at the sheriff's headquarters at his home.
At least one county commissioner says he now wants commissioners to discuss the way in which the sheriff’s office is funded.
All of the allegations of money laundering by the sheriff are so concerning that Commissioner Brian Hamman exclusively told NBC2 he wants to re-examine the way the sheriff's office is funded after the sheriff's latest budget increased by $38 million from last year.
A letter obtained by NBC2 from Kevin Karnes, the Lee County clerk of courts, warns that the county could be facing financial troubles if allegations of money laundering inside the sheriff's office are true, a matter the FBI is now investigating.
“I absolutely think it's time now to look at the idea of breaking the sheriff's budget out and putting it on its own line item on the tax bill so that there is full transparency,” said Hamman.
Whether it could be done legally under Florida law is not clear.
“The board has a strategic planning session coming up later this year. I would like to bring that up for discussion with the commissioners. Do it at the session or do it at the next commission meeting,” Hamman said.
Karnes warned county leaders that the sheriff's office could be in financial trouble after allegations of money laundering.
“We're all working together on potentially information that hasn't been fully made available to us. We are doing our best,” Karnes said.
Karnes said in his letter that an external auditor wants to audit the sheriff's office.
“An audit is not meant to be weaponized. It's not meant to be scary. It is meant to have transparency,” Karnes said.
He said he and the county are working to determine the next steps.
Both Karnes and Hamman say an audit about the latest allegations concerning the sheriff could be difficult.
“What could happen is we could hire someone to audit the sheriff's office, but they could say, 'No, we refuse to open the books to you because we're separate or independent,'” Hamman said.
A federal grand jury is expected to meet Tuesday to consider an indictment against the sheriff. Numerous documents and information have been turned over in the investigation, which has reportedly been going on since May.
Marceno's longtime friend and contract employee Ken Romano says he told the FBI he was part of a money laundering scheme involving the sheriff.
Former Deputy Mike Hollow, who ran against the sheriff and lost, recorded a confession and turned it over to the FBI.
During the campaign, the sheriff called the claims political. Since then, he has never gone on camera to defend against any of the claims being made against him.