Democratic Florida Mayor arrested on charges of grand theft and scheme to defraud

Espinosa

KISSIMMEE, FL — In a stunning display of bureaucratic innovation, Kissimmee Mayor Eva Jacquelyn Espinosa was arrested on charges of Grand Theft and Organized Scheme to Defraud after allegedly treating federal COVID relief funds like a personal loyalty rewards program to the tune of $50,000 from a city initiative she personally championed.

Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest Wednesday morning in a post on X.

During a press conference, Uthmeier detailed how the mayor treated public office as a family checking account despite clear warnings that self-dealing was frowned upon.

"Public officials do not get to write the rules and then write themselves a check," Uthmeier said. "The mayor used her position to push a COVID relief grant program, then took $50,000 from it for her family's businesses after being warned it was prohibited."

Investigators noted that Espinosa assumed office in November 2024 and wasted zero time advocating for and voting on the creation and expansion of the City of Kissimmee's Business Boost 2.0 program. Financed by federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars, the program was ostensibly designed to aid struggling small businesses in the municipality.

True to form, the moment the program opened for applications in September 2025, Espinosa and her immediate family members dutifully submitted paperwork for three businesses under their control, requesting a cool $50,000. Approval came swiftly, and the cash landed in accounts linked to the Espinosa clan on Nov. 7, 2025.

When the city attorney pointed out a minor conflict of interest on Dec. 5, 2025, suggesting she return the loot, Espinosa politely declined, announced she would fight any complaints, and kept right on moving.

"The voters put their trust in their public officials to do what is best for their community, not what is best for themselves," said Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia. "Jackie Espinosa abused that trust and cashed in at the taxpayers' expense."

The resulting warrant slaps Espinosa with one count of Grand Theft for amounts between $20,000 and $100,000, classified as a second-degree felony, alongside a count of Organized Scheme to Defraud of $50,000 or more, which is a first-degree felony. The joint investigation was a team effort by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division.

The case will be handled in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit by Office of Statewide Prosecution Public Integrity Unit Special Counsel Richard Mantei.

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