Sheriff Reportedly Engaging in Street Racing with a Lamborghini Despite Previous Stance of 'No Tolerance' for Such Activities
In a surprising turn of events, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, known for his strict "zero tolerance" policy against street racing, has found himself at the centre of a scandal after a widely circulated video allegedly showed him participating in a high-speed race on South Tamiami Trail.
The nine-second clip, filmed by Bonita Springs jeweller Ken Romano, features Sheriff Marceno driving a black Lamborghini Huracan Spyder, reportedly racing against a Corvette that reached 74 mph on a road with a speed limit of 50 mph. The footage, which first surfaced on Facebook as early as September 2024, has since been shared on social media and is currently under investigation by both the media and the Lee County Sheriff's Office.
This incident starkly contrasts with Sheriff Marceno's earlier public statements, made in June 2025, following the arrest of an 18-year-old street racer. At the time, he emphasised his department's firm stance against reckless driving, warning that violators would face consequences. His office has indeed been active in enforcing this, with operations resulting in dozens of stops, citations, and arrests related to street racing.
The controversy has generated significant public attention and criticism, with many viewing it as hypocritical for the sheriff to break the very laws he pledged to enforce strictly. Sheriff Marceno's reputation as a connoisseur of high-performance cars further undermines his zero-tolerance message, as the viral video shows his personal involvement in the kind of reckless driving behaviour he condemns.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office has not yet responded to a request for comment regarding the video. Sheriff Marceno's current salary stands at $261,000, a significant increase from his 2021 salary of $178,000. The ownership of the Huracan Spyder, which can list for anywhere between $200,000 and $260,000, is not confirmed to belong to Sheriff Marceno.
The Florida Trident, a local news outlet, has claimed that Sheriff Marceno was caught street racing in the Lamborghini Huracan Spyder. However, the Sheriff's Office has not yet commented on the allegations. The video shows Sheriff Marceno driving the Lamborghini and accelerating alongside Romano on South Tamiami Trail.
At the start of the video, the Corvette driver can be heard saying, "Yeah, juice that motherf*cker!", a phrase that has added fuel to the controversy surrounding the incident. The relationship between Sheriff Marceno and Romano, who filmed the video, is also controversial.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office shared a video with bodycam footage from Operation Street Takeover, in which they made 67 traffic stops, issued 74 citations, and made nine arrests. Despite this, the alleged incident involving Sheriff Marceno has cast a shadow over the department's efforts to combat street racing.
As the investigation continues, the public awaits a response from the Lee County Sheriff's Office regarding the allegations against Sheriff Carmine Marceno. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and integrity in public office.
In the midst of this escalating controversy, questions about Sheriff Carmine Marceno's lifestyle choices have arisen, with his fondness for luxury sports cars, such as the Lamborghini Huracan Spyder, coming under scrutiny. More significantly, the sheriff's alleged involvement in a high-speed race, not dissimilar to the street races he harshly condemns, has cast doubt on his commitment to enforcing car-maintenance regulations and upholding the law in the realm of fashion-and-beauty, sports, and car culture.
