Lee sheriff faces accusation of hiring ‘ghost employee’
A former Lee County Sheriff’s Office employee running against Sheriff Carmine Marceno as a write-in candidate in the November election is accusing Marceno of having hired a “ghost employee” as a consultant and then asking him to help pay for a luxury vehicle for Marceno’s father.
Mike Hollow first posted the allegations on the Facebook page of his election campaign earlier this month. He posted audio, which has been edited, from a telephone call he said was made between himself and the former LCSO consultant Ken Romano, in which Romano alleges that he made the payments to Marceno’s father to help pay for a Mercedes.
The story was first reported by the Florida Trident, a news site published by the Florida Center by Government Accountability.
Romano, a Bonita Springs jewelry store owner, had a consulting contract with the LCSO in 2022 to assist with communications and social media. According to LCSO records, the contract was terminated that same year after the office said it found out Romano was under investigation by another law enforcement agency.
Romano did not respond to messages seeking comment, and Hollow said he did not know which agency is said to be investigating Romano at the time.
Marceno called the allegations against him “politically-motivated and baseless from a disgruntled employee.”
Hollow worked for the LCSO for 17 years in various law enforcement capacities. Hollow said he did not like the direction the organization was taking and said he had a different mindset.
“I didn’t want to work for a corrupt individual any longer,” Hollow said.
In a statement issued through the LCSO in response to Hollow’s allegations, Marceno said “It’s unfortunate that politics have reached this level. These politically-motivated and baseless claims from a disgruntled former employee are obviously untrue. It’s sad that some people would engage in such vicious personal attacks for political purposes. I’m proud to be the sheriff of Lee County. We provide an outstanding level of service to the great residents of the county and will continue to do so.”
The consulting contract the LCSO formerly had with Romano ran from January of 2022 to August of that year, according to records provided by the LCSO. The contract initially called for Romano to be paid $4,000 a month and was amended in March of that year to pay Romano $5,700 a month. The contract was slated to run one year until it was terminated early.
Hollow is alleging that Romano said $1,700 of the increased amount was being paid monthly to Marceno’s father for the vehicle.
“He misappropriated tax dollars,” Hollow alleged of Marceno.
According to the contract provided by the LCSO, Romano was brought on as a consultant after Marceno determined “a need exists for a consultant to assist the sheriff’s personnel by providing guidance regarding public relations including but not limited to social media presence and strategic communications.”
The contract further stated that Romano had “the ability, certifications and experience to perform the services.”
Under Marceno, the LCSO maintained an active social media presence on platforms such as Facebook.
The LCSO maintains consulting contracts with other individuals and businesses who are not county employees.
The office currently has a $9,000 a month consultant contract with AGL Solutions, whose president is former state Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, a Republican who formerly represented parts of Lee County. The contract calls on her firm to attend government, community and business meetings and provide advice.
Another consulting contract lists John E. McGowan and Legacy Strategic Consulting Inc. at a rate of $5,000 a month for helping to recruit members of the civilian support unit and to support it with marketing and community outreach activities.
Other consulting contracts include $65,000 a year to Big Events Southwest Florida LLC to produce videography and media projects for the LCSO.
Other consulting contracts include consultants for a youth boxing program, physical evidence consulting, community outreach programs and the Animal Cruelty Task Force.
“You can be a consultant but not a ghost employee,” Hollow said.
Hollow said Romano “didn’t provide any services to the taxpayers,” alluding to Romano’s comments on their taped conversation.
Hollow said he learned of the alleged dealings between Romano and Marceno after “Ken and I got connected.”
Hollow said he owns two businesses since leaving the LCSO though he declined to name them. According to his election filings, he currently maintains a business as a Realtor. He previously ran unsuccessfully for Cape Coral mayor in 2017.
Hollow also announced that he has filed an ethics complaint against Marceno for allegedly not having properly declared the purchase of a home in Sarasota in his election filings.
The LCSO budget totals $283 million, according to Lee County records. The budget has increased more than $80 million since the 2019-20 budget was approved. While Marceno controls his own budget, the budget is approved by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners.
Messages left with county commissioners were not responded to as of press time.
Hollow said although Marceno has not been charged or convicted of any crime, he believes there is an investigation into Marceno’s dealings.
If so, it is not with the State Attorney’s Office.
“We are aware of the allegations but we are not involved in any investigation that may exist,” Samantha Syoen, communications director for State Attorney Amira Fox, said.
To reach NATHAN MAYBERG / nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com, please email