Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa was arrested Wednesday morning on charges of grand theft and organized scheme to defraud, according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
Law enforcement stopped Espinosza just after 8 a.m. as she drove away from her home and took her into custody, WFTV reported Wednesday morning.
She was booked into Osceola County Jail.
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said his team worked alongside the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to make the arrest. Ingoglia credited his office’s auditors and criminal investigators with uncovering “the alleged misuse of taxpayer dollars,” accusing Espinosa of abusing her office for personal gain.
The arrest follows months of scrutiny over allegations that Espinosa directed $50,000 in city COVID-19 relief funds toward businesses connected to her family. In September, the Florida Commission on Ethics censured Espinosa and recommended a $2,000 fine. An earlier effort to impeach the mayor stalled in August after city commissioners split 2-2.
Officials have not confirmed whether Wednesday’s charges are connected to the previous allegations. Uthmeier is set to provide further details during a 2 p.m. press conference in Orlando, along with Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Keefe.
