KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Kissimmee City Commission is preparing for a special meeting that could determine Mayor Jackie Espinosa’s future in office, after a special prosecutor recommended moving forward with impeachment proceedings and said the evidence is sufficient to consider her removal.
The recommendation follows an investigation into an ethics complaint connected to Kissimmee’s BOOST 2.0 program, a publicly funded grant effort created to support small businesses struggling in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the investigative report dismissed several allegations against Espinosa, it recommended impeachment over grant funds she received through BOOST 2.0. State investigators said Espinosa and members of her family own multiple businesses in Kissimmee.
According to the report, Espinosa voted to establish the program and later received $50,000 from the first round of funding. That initial allocation totaled $375,000.
Investigators also alleged that Espinosa assisted relatives and tenants in obtaining grant money through the program.
In the report, the special prosecutor wrote, “The BOOST 2.0 program was created to help Kissimmee’s small businesses survive a pandemic, not to enrich the official who controlled it.”
The upcoming vote has drawn close attention from Kissimmee residents, many of whom are watching to see whether commissioners will act on the prosecutor’s recommendation. Resident June Reyes said she believes Espinosa should be removed from office.
“Well, if the money is for the community, for the people, then it should go to the people. It’s not for personal use or anything like that. If that’s not corruption, then what is, right?” Reyes said.
“Well, any corruption by government officials, first, it needs to be investigated, of course, and then if proven, then they need to step down. Just like that.”
Others in the community believe the mayor is being unfairly targeted.
“So, honestly, I see when I see something like that, I honestly feel that she’s either being targeted because she’s not playing by the rules or something like that,” Harsper Walker said. “Good luck to you. That’s all I can say, mayor.”
When the investigative report was released, Espinosa’s attorney said the mayor plans to defend herself.
“She remains confident that a fair and impartial review of the complete record will demonstrate that impeachment is neither legally justified nor supported by the evidence,” the attorney said.
The Commission will hold the special meeting Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at Kissimmee City Hall.
