Kissimmee, Florida, Mayor Jackie Espinosa was arrested Wednesday on charges of grand theft and organized scheme to defraud, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced, ABC News reported.
Prosecutors allege Espinosa improperly obtained $50,000 through the city’s Business Boost 2.0 COVID-19 relief program. According to the arrest warrant, three businesses owned or controlled by Espinosa or close relatives, a dance studio, a diner and a real estate company, received grants after applying the day applications opened.
“This is the local government equivalent of insider congressional stock trading,” said state Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, whose office’s audit flagged the payments.
Espinosa’s attorney said she maintains her innocence and will fight the charges in court.
Sources: ABC News. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Connor J. Williams / CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
