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Kissimmee Mayor Arrested on Charges of Grand Theft, Organized Scheme to Defraud, AG Says
State officials say Espinosa funneled $50,000 in COVID-19 relief funds to family-linked businesses and faces grand theft and fraud charges.
- On Wednesday, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest of Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa on charges of grand theft and organized scheme to defraud, with law enforcement taking her into custody at her home shortly after 8 a.m.
- The charges stem from an investigation into the city's Business Boost 2.0 program, which used American Rescue Plan Act funds; prosecutors allege Espinosa funneled $50,000 in COVID-19 relief grants to three family-owned businesses without disclosing conflicts of interest.
- Earlier this year, the Florida Commission on Ethics recommended a $2,000 fine, and special prosecutor Mayanne Downs found probable cause for impeachment on three of seven alleged ethics violations involving the grant money.
- Uthmeier scheduled a 2 p.m. press conference in Orlando today, where Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Larry Keefe will provide additional details on the arrest.
- Espinosa previously defended her actions, claiming city staff failed to warn her that accepting funds was inappropriate; however, Downs countered that "the oath of office is warning enough" regarding public officials' obligations.
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The Mayor of Kissimmee, Jackie Espinosa, was arrested and charged with major theft and organized scheme to defraud, Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier reported Wednesday. Through a post on social network X, Uthmeier announced the arrest and advanced that he will offer a press conference at 2:00 p.m. (Local Time) in his Orlando office, accompanied by the state financial director, Ingoglia, and the commissioner of the Florida Law Enforcemen…
Lefty Florida Mayor Arrested on Charges of Grand Theft, Organized Scheme to Defraud * The Gateway Pundit * by Cristina Laila
A lefty Florida mayor was arrested on charges of grand theft and organized scheme to defraud, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on Wednesday.
·St. Louis, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources40
Leaning Left2Leaning Right5Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution65% Center
Bias Distribution
- 65% of the sources are Center
65% Center
C 65%
R 25%
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