Kissimmee mayor Jackie Espinosa arrested on grand theft, fraud charges, AG says

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Kissimmee mayor Jackie Espinosa was arrested early Wednesday morning on charges of grand theft and fraud tied to $50,000 in COVID-era grants that were awarded to her and/or businesses owned by her family members, officials said.

Kissimmee mayor Jackie Espinosa arrested for grand theft, fraud

What we know:

In 2025, the City of Kissimmee launched the "Business Boost 2.0 (BB2) Grant Program," which provided financial grants between $5,000 and $20,000+ to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Florida Attorney's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement allege that Espinosa, as mayor, helped create and expand the program, then applied for $50,000 in grants for businesses connected to her or her family members, and ignored ethical concerns raised by staff members.

She is expected to stay in jail Wednesday night, as she is not scheduled for her first appearance until Thursday morning, officials said.

By the numbers:

• Four businesses that pay rent in a building owned by the mayor received $10,000 each
• Three businesses owned by the mayor or her family received a total of $50,000 across 3 grants
• The Real Estate Gallery, a business owned by Espinosa's husband, received $15,000.
• The Kissimmee Diner received $15,000. That business closed five months after receiving the funding. A new business has since opened there.
• Andanse LLC., owned by the mayor and leased by her and a family member, received $20,000.

FOX 35 Investigative Reporter Marie Edinger stopped by each of the mayor's family businesses named in the investigation, but no one came to the door or answered calls or emails to those responsible for the companies. No one answered the door at the mator's  million-dollar home either, despite a Porsche, Tesla, Dodge Ram, and Ford Focus parked in the driveway.

What they're saying:

"Public officials do not get to write the rules and then write themselves a check," said Attorney General James Uthmeier in a statement.

"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. Florida taxpayers funded that money to help small businesses recover, not to enrich the mayor who controlled it. Since we established our public integrity unit, we've worked quickly to hold corrupt officials accountable — more to come."

"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 in a statement.

 "Jackie Espinosa abused that trust and cashed in at the taxpayers’ expense. It is called public service for a reason, not self-service. When I took office, I promised I would root out waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption and today I am fulfilling that promise for the people of Kissimmee."

FDLE Commissioner Larry Keefe said, "If you don't hold public officials accountable in these public corruption cases, then the whole system really unravels." He explained, allegations of misconduct erode public trust in their government and in other public officials.

That’s something the Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity hopes to thwart. The head of that unit, Rich Mantei, is leading the prosecution for the State.

"Her defense to being a criminal is that she's just unethical," said Mantei. "It is unusual that I run into something like that, but I'm here to tell you that yes, in fact, you can, and she tried her hardest to be both."

The other side:

Migdalia Perez, of Perez Lasure Law, who represents Jackie Espinosa released the following statement to FOX 35 shortly after her arrest:

"My office represents Mayor Espinosa and what I can tell you at this juncture is that Mayor Espinosa maintains her innocence. This case involves a publicly approved grant program administered by City staff, not a secret scheme to steal taxpayer money.

The prosecution must establish that the mayor acted with criminal intent. We firmly maintain that she did not. There is a fundamental difference between an alleged ethics violation and a criminal offense. The State cannot transform one into the other without proving every element of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

We intend to challenge these allegations vigorously in court. Mayor Espinosa deserves the presumption of innocence, not a presumption of guilt because she has been arrested."

Spokesperson for the City of Kissimmee and the Kissimmee Police Department deferred to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

Kissimmee mayor is at the center of multiple ethics investigations

The backstory:

In June, a court-appointed special prosecutor said it found probable cause that Espinosa had likely violated ethics law by applying for grants through the Business Boost 2.0 program, and recommended Kissimmee City Commissioners consider filing articles of impeachment against her.

In August, the Kissimmee City Commission voted not to file articles of impeachment.

In September, the Florida Commission on Ethics said it found probable cause of potential ethics violations against Espinosa, which would then be considered at an evidentiary hearing.

What's next:

The City of Kissimmee released a statement on Wednesday with updates on the mayor's seat on the City Commission, city operations, and the launch of an internal investigation. 

• Vice Mayor Angela Eady will perform mayor duties at City Commission meetings and ceremonial events when Mayor Espinosa is absent.
• Mayor Espinosa holds her City Commission seat for now, unless she is suspended, removed, or resigns, the city said.
• City operations will continue as normal.
• The city has opened an internal investigation into the Business Boost 2.0 program.

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