A Brevard County Commission candidate and her husband said a criminal investigation against them is politically motivated.
We first told you Thursday that the Brevard County Sheriff's office searched the Ice Cream Depot in West Melbourne, co-owned by county commission hopeful Lisa McDermott.
We were there when BCSO investigators handed over a search warrant. James McDermott and his wife Lisa have run the Ice Cream Depot for years. It’s a place McDermott has used as home base for his eBay selling business.
The pair are under investigation for alleged money laundering and dealing in stolen merchandise. Investigators said James McDermott was the ring leader.
"They were trying to get me to say I ran these guys. I don't run nobody," said James McDermott.
McDermott said a well-dressed man came in the business last year and asked if he bought merchandise. Soon after, he bought a truckload of products from the man, enough to fill two rooms inside the business -- a one-time deal.
"He brought it in garbage bags. I didn't know any of this was stolen," said McDermott.
Later McDermott said the man stole things from his store, so McDermott kicked him out and told him to never come back.
And that man, who he said is now in jail, has a vendetta against him.
"They see that Lisa is running for office, and I figure they have a political bomb they can throw on us to get out of jail," he said.
Lisa McDermott, James' wife, is running for Brevard County Commission.
"I'm not responsible for my husband's actions," she said.
The couple said the eBay account they've had since 1998 is in her name.
Investigators said she is involved in this theft ring, which Lisa denies.
"Somewhere I believe it was politically motivated, and they are trying to ruin my credibility. Well, if that's what they were trying to do I think they accomplished it," she said.
Neither has been arrested.
James McDermott said he will plead not guilty if he's ever charged. Lisa McDermott said she will remain in the District 4 race -- the primary is in August.