Florida’s attorney general says Kissimmee’s Democrat mayor, Jackie Espinosa, has been arrested on felony theft and fraud charges after a long state look at city COVID relief money paid to her family’s businesses.
Story Snapshot
- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier says state agents arrested Espinosa on the morning of Wednesday, October 21, pulling her over and putting her in handcuffs, on charges of grand theft and organized scheme to defraud.
- Her lawyer says she is innocent and that the case involves a grant program the city approved and city staff ran.
- Espinosa was one of the city commissioners who voted to approve the COVID recovery grant program, and three downtown companies run by her family then received $50,000 from it.
- The state ethics commission had already found probable cause against her, and an effort to impeach her stalled on a 2-2 vote in August.
What the Mayor Is Charged With
Uthmeier, Florida’s top state lawyer, posted the news Wednesday morning: “This morning, we arrested Kissimmee mayor Jackie Espinosa and are charging her with Grand Theft and Organized Scheme to Defraud.” Grand theft in Florida means taking property worth $750 or more. An organized scheme to defraud is a planned, ongoing effort to get money or property through lies or tricks. Espinosa is accused, not convicted.
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, who oversees the state’s money, said his auditors and his Criminal Investigations Division had worked on the “alleged misuse of taxpayer dollars.” He added, “Public service should never be self-service.” Officials have not said whether the charges cover the same $50,000 in grants at the center of the ethics case.
Her Lawyer Pushes Back
Espinosa’s attorney, Migdalia Perez, said in a statement that the mayor is innocent and that the facts do not add up to a crime. Perez said the case involves “a publicly approved grant program administered by City staff.” She said prosecutors must prove criminal intent, which means proving Espinosa meant to break the law. She also said an ethics violation is not the same as a crime, and that the defense will fight the charges in court.
How the Arrest Happened
Officers pulled Espinosa over shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday as she drove away from her home. They asked her to step out of her car and put her in handcuffs. Jail records show she was booked into the Osceola County Jail. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the state police agency, had been investigating her.
Uthmeier set a 2 p.m. news conference Wednesday at his office in Orlando. He planned to speak with Ingoglia and Larry Keefe, the head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The COVID Grants Behind the Ethics Case
The money came from federal COVID-19 pandemic recovery funds, meant to help local businesses get back on their feet after the shutdowns. Kissimmee handed it out as grants through a city program called Business Boost 2.0. City commissioners, including Espinosa, voted to approve it. Three downtown companies that her family runs received $50,000 from the program.
The Florida Commission on Ethics, the state board that polices public officials’ conduct, found probable cause that she did city business with her own family’s companies. Probable cause means there was enough reason to believe a rule was broken. The commission recommended a $2,000 civil fine and a public censure, which is a formal public scolding. Espinosa has said she did nothing wrong because the city had not set rules for how the money could be used.
A special prosecutor also found probable cause to pursue impeachment, the process to remove her from office. In August, city commissioners split 2-2 on whether to hold a trial, so the effort stalled.
What Comes Next for Kissimmee
Gov. Ron DeSantis could suspend Espinosa from office. If he does, Vice Mayor Angela Eady would serve as acting mayor. City Manager Mike Steigerwald said the city had not been told of any suspension. Commissioner Janette Martinez said the city was discussing a special meeting early next week.
For taxpayers, the case is about who gets public money and who decides. Espinosa will have her day in court, where prosecutors must prove each charge. Residents will be watching what the court records show about where the $50,000 went.
Sources:
clickorlando.com, wdbo.com, fox35orlando.com
