Florida Mayor Arrested on Felony Charges Over Alleged $50,000 COVID-19 Relief Fund Misuse

State authorities arrested Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa at her Tallahassee home on Oct. 21, according to jail records and the state attorney general’s office [1][2]. Espinosa faces one count of grand theft and one count of defrauding to obtain property — first- and second-degree felonies — in connection with about $50,000 in funds from a COVID-19 small business relief program, prosecutors said [1][2][3].

She was taken to the Osceola County Jail and remained there Wednesday afternoon, according to jail records [1]. A bond amount had not been set [1]. Espinosa maintains her innocence and plans to challenge the allegations in court, her attorney said [1][2].

Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest Wednesday morning, saying, “This morning, we arrested Kissimmee mayor Jackie Espinosa and are charging her with Grand Theft and Organized Scheme to Defraud” [4]. “Public officials do not get to write the rules and then write themselves a check,” Uthmeier said [5].

The Charges and the Program at Issue

Attorney General James Uthmeier accused Espinosa of illegally granting herself, her husband, and family members $50,000 from the Kissimmee Business Boost 2.0 program, which she helped create, fund, expand, and promote, according to prosecutors [1][2]. Prosecutors said Espinosa submitted her applications before anyone else on the first day the program opened, which they alleged violated state law [1][2].

A state audit found three applications signed by Espinosa filed ahead of all others the day funds became available, according to Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia [1]. Adanse LLC, which Espinosa legally retains 100% ownership of, received $20,000 in relief funds, and her husband’s company received $15,000, the audit found [1]. The mayor and her family own several local businesses, including Adanse, Real Estate Gallery, Matador Tacos and Tapas, and Empresas Espinosa; they also owned Kissimmee Diner at the time of the applications [1].

“The evidence makes very clear there was intent to engage in this conflict of interest, then ultimately abused her office to enrich herself,” Uthmeier said during a press conference Wednesday [1].

How the Investigation Unfolded

A state financial audit of the city’s pandemic funding was conducted as a routine matter, according to Ingoglia, who oversees the state’s financial services [1]. Auditors identified irregularities in the Boost program, with funds allegedly linked directly and indirectly to the mayor, Ingoglia said, adding that this led his team to look further [1].

Auditors said they were told some city office personnel attempted to ask Espinosa whether her applications represented a conflict of interest but received no response, according to Ingoglia [1]. The city manager allegedly notified Espinosa by text message that the city attorney believed she was prohibited from receiving the grant funds, according to the arrest record [1]. Espinosa allegedly told the city manager she received the city attorney’s opinion but “felt it was confusing,” the court document stated [1]. Prosecutors said Florida law does not allow defendants to avoid criminal liability by claiming not to know they were violating the law [1].

Ingoglia said he and his team were with law enforcement when they arrested the mayor at her home in Tallahassee on Wednesday morning [1]. “I am proud of the outstanding work that my auditing team and Criminal Investigations Division did to uncover the alleged misuse of taxpayer dollars and to ensure that Jackie Espinosa’s corruption did not go without recourse,” Ingoglia said in a social media post [1].

Response From the Mayor’s Attorney

Attorney Migdalia Perez told The Epoch Times that the case involves a publicly approved grant program administered by city staff, “not a secret scheme to steal taxpayer money” [1]. Perez said the prosecution must establish that the mayor acted with criminal intent, adding, “We firmly maintain that she did not” [1].

Perez stated there is “a fundamental difference between an alleged ethics violation and a criminal offense,” and said the state cannot transform one into the other without proving every element of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt [1]. Espinosa, elected mayor in 2024, plans to contest the allegations in court, her attorney said [1].

Political Fallout, City Operations, and Next Steps

A state ethics probe found Espinosa violated three ethics rules in July, prompting the city commission to hold an impeachment vote that stalled after deadlocking last month, according to officials [1]. City commissioners also hired a special prosecutor to oversee the ethics complaint [1].

Kissimmee spokesperson Alibeth Suarez told The Epoch Times there have been no impacts to city operations, which continue under the city manager within the council-manager form of government [1]. Suarez said the city is prepared to follow the process outlined in the City Charter if a suspension occurs [1].

Espinosa faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted on all charges, according to prosecutors [1][6]. A bond amount had not been set, and Espinosa plans to challenge the allegations in court, her attorney said [1]. The case continues to draw attention as authorities pursue accountability for alleged misuse of pandemic relief funds.

References

1. Florida Mayor Charged With Grand Theft From COVID Relief Program She Helped Create. https://www.zerohedge.com/political/florida-mayor-charged-grand-theft-covid-relief-program-she-helped-create
2. Florida Mayor Arrested After Authorities Say She Paid Herself and Family State COVID Funds. https://theepochtimes.com/us/florida-mayor-arrested-after-authorities-say-she-paid-herself-and-family-state-covid-funds-6107166
3. Mayor charged with grand theft and fraud over COVID-19 relief funds – WPBF. https://www.wpbf.com/article/kissimmee-mayor-jackie-espinosa-arrested-grand-theft/74204876
4. Republican Attorney General Announces Arrest Of Mayor, Charges Include “Grand Theft”. https://100percentfedup.com/republican-attorney-general-announces-arrest-mayor-charges-include/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=republican-attorney-general-announces-arrest-mayor-charges-include
5. Florida mayor arrested for grand theft and fraud related to COVID …. https://justthenews.com/nation/states/center-square/florida-mayor-arrested-grand-theft-fraud
6. Kissimmee Mayor Charged in $50K COVID Grant Fraud Scheme. https://americantribune.com/kissimmee-mayor-jackie-espinosa-charged-in-covid-grant-scheme-carrying-decades-in-prison/

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