KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa was arrested Wednesday, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced.
According to Uthmeier, Espinosa faces charges of grand theft and participating in an organized scheme to defraud.
“This morning, we arrested Kissimmee mayor Jackie Espinosa and are charging her with Grand Theft and Organized Scheme to Defraud,” Uthmeier said in a social media post.
Additional information was expected during a 2 p.m. news conference at the attorney general’s Orlando office. Chief Financial Officer Chip Ingoglia and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Keefe were also scheduled to address the case.
The arrest follows months of controversy surrounding the mayor. In September, the Florida Commission on Ethics formally censured Espinosa and recommended a $2,000 penalty after examining allegations that $50,000 in city COVID-19 relief money had been directed to businesses connected to her family.
Espinosa had also faced an impeachment effort, but the proposal stalled when Kissimmee city commissioners split their vote 2-2 on whether to proceed with a trial.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials are expected to release more details. Check back for updates as this story develops.
