NBC-2 is learning that an FBI investigation into Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno includes a piano worth thousands of dollars, allegedly given to him as a gift. By law, a gift of that size requires him to report it to the state, but after searching records filed with the state, the piano is not mentioned.
A receipt obtained by NBC-2 shows Sheriff Marceno received the $9,000 digital grand piano from the same "ghost employee" who was being paid $5,700 a month as a Lee County sheriff contract employee.
That employee, Ken Romano, said he told the FBI he would then take $1,700 of that salary and give it to the sheriff's father to pay for a Mercedes.
Romano is a jewelry store owner and was a longtime friend of the sheriff, so close in fact that the sheriff has personally referred to him as a brother when he signed one of his framed campaign signs.
Romano admitted in a recording to telling the FBI that Sheriff Marceno owed him a quarter of a million dollars — after Romano alleged he helped the sheriff pay off his gambling debts. That recording was reportedly turned over to the FBI, who later reportedly interviewed Romano about the matter.
“I gave him tons and tons of jewelry. His grandmother you know a $40,000 ring. I did a lot of good things for him,” Romano said in the recording.
NBC-2 reached out to the sheriff’s office and his attorney about the piano purchase but we did not hear back.
The receipt obtained by NBC-2 was reportedly turned over to the FBI as part of their investigation.
Romano said it was proof that the piano was delivered a gift to the sheriff’s home address. The total cost was $9,000 for the digital grand piano.
NBC-2 also obtained a picture of the piano inside the sheriff’s home.
State ethics laws require the sheriff to disclose all gifts over $100 or more.
However, after pouring over financial disclosure forms there is no mention of a piano.
All of this comes as the FBI issued subpoenas with the sheriff's office address and the sheriff's home address.
And another to the Lee County Building and Permitting Office for records of the sheriff's home and office headquarters.
All of it is very concerning to Lee County Clerk of Courts Kevin Karnes, who warned the county could be facing financial problems if the allegations of money laundering are proven.
“We're all working together on potential information that hasn't been made fully available to us,” Karnes stated.
Sources tell NBC-2 that the grand jury is expected to meet Tuesday, Dec. 3. The evidence gathered against Marceno will be reviewed, and the grand jury will decide if there is enough evidence to bring charges.
Neither Marceno nor his attorney have made themselves available for an on camera interview since NBC-2 began breaking all of the news back in September.