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Where does Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill live?
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement's 13-month investigation into Regina Hill uncovered Orlando's 5th district commissioner, at some point within the past three years, lived outside her district.
ORLANDO, Fla. - Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill was arrested Thursday amid an investigation into elderly exploitation and fraud after a grand jury filed an indictment against her, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
Hill surrendered herself at the FDLE's Orlando Regional Operations Center and was charged with three counts of exploitation of the elderly, two counts of fraud impersonation, mortgage fraud, and a scheme to defraud.
The FDLE's investigation into Hill revealed that Orlando's 5th district commissioner had lived outside her district at some point within the past three years. According to the Orlando City Charter, Hill could have her seat vacated.
Hill is accused by the state of exploiting a 96-year-old woman in her district for more than $100,000. The alleged crimes include using the woman's money to make repairs to a vacant home that the woman owned on Lewis Court and living inside without paying rent.
On Thursday, FOX 35 News spoke exclusively with someone who claims she's a former neighbor of Hill's in Washington Shores. The neighbor said Hill moved in last summer and moved out earlier this month.
Lewis Court in Washington Shores is in District 6, represented by Bakari Burns. Orlando's city charter has a section pertaining to the commissioner's residence and eligibility to serve.
"If a City Commissioner ceases to be a bona fide resident of the district from which he was elected..., his office shall immediately become vacant...," the charter reads.
There is an exemption for commissioners if redistricting changes the boundaries during their term, but Lewis Court was in District 6 before new maps took effect Oct. 2022 and before Hill ever moved in.
FOX 35 asked Geoffrey Golub, an attorney, for his legal opinion.
"Bona fide in Latin basically means good faith, and then, of course, it means real and honesty," Golub said, clarifying that one would expect the commissioner to reside within his or her district.
So, where does Regina Hill live? The address listed as Hill's residence in the arrest affidavit, the most recent documentation, is 400 South Orange Avenue, the address of Orlando City Hall.
Despite these revelations, Hill continues to hold onto her seat. However, there is speculation that Florida Gov. DeSantis may suspend her from office pending further investigation.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Regina Hill arrest
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference on Thursday where he briefly touched on the arrest of Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill, who was charged with elderly exploitation and fraud.
FOX 35 interviewed political science professor Aubrey Jewett at the University of Central Florida for analysis. He asserts that representatives cannot effectively serve their constituents if they do not reside within their designated districts.
"How can a representative of District 5 best represent their people if they don't even live in that district?" he asked. "The short answer is they really can't as effectively as they should."
Jewett said Hill's familiarity with the district and only living blocks away might help "soften the blow."
Attempts to reach Commissioner Hill for comment regarding her residency were unsuccessful. The FDLE's assertion that Hill resided outside her district raises questions about whether the city is obligated to wait for the governor's intervention to remove her from office.
FOX 35 reached out to the City of Orlando for clarification and comment, but did not receive an immediate response. The Orlando City Commission has a meeting scheduled for 2 p.m. on Monday at City Hall.
On Monday, a spokesperson for the City of Orlando released the following statement: As a matter of law, an individual’s residence is based on their intent. In May 2023, Commissioner Hill’s inquired about her home in District 5 undergoing unanticipated construction due to hurricane damage. She was advised that her "legal residence" wouldn’t be impacted by a temporary absence as she indicated her intent was to continue to reside at that location. We have not been advised of any change in those circumstances.
What do we know about homes linked to Regina Hill?
According to court and tax records, there are three homes or properties as part of the investigation against Regina Hill.
All three were listed in Hill’s pretrial release conditions after she bonded out of jail. They are all located within a 1.1-mile radius of each other in the Washington Shores and Lake Mann Estates neighborhoods.
The Lewis Court residence
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Orlando Commissioner Hill out of jail
Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill is out of jail on bond after pleading not guilty to seven charges.
According to FDLE Special Agent John Vecchio, this home was bequeathed to the victim by her family and remained vacant. However, Hill eventually moved into the home and allegedly conducted various repairs and renovations using the woman's finances, Vecchio and court records allege.
FDLE said the home repairs totaled $15,400, despite the 96-year-old woman's primary home – on Mahalia Place – remaining in disrepair and in poor condition. FDLE also noted that Hill lived rent-free.
Neighbors told FOX 35 that renovations included repairs to the roof as well as the home's exterior. Neighbors told FOX 35 that Hill moved in during the overnight hours of summer 2023 and lived there until March 2024. Officials and court records, however, have not provided that specific of a timeline.
According to the Orange County Property Appraiser, the home was built in 1952 and has a 2023 assessed value listed at $16,593. It is listed as a single family home with two bedrooms, one bath and 824 square-feet of living space. The house sits on a 0.39-acre lot.
Third-party realty sites such as Zillow.com and Realtor.com value the home at $155,400 and $172,247, respectively.
The Domino Drive residence
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No suspension ordered in Regina Hill investigation
Orlando City Commission Regina Hill said she will prove her innocence in court after being accused of multiple charges, including three counts of exploitation of an elderly or disabled person, one count of scheming to defraud $50,000 or more, two counts of fraudulent use of personal identification and mortgage fraud.
According to FDLE and tax records, Hill used a second power of attorney to apply for a mortgage and purchase a home using the woman's name, identity, and finances.
According to FDLE and the indictment, this purchase exceeded $400,000 and was allegedly made without the woman's knowledge. It appears that Hill's son and his girlfriend lived in this home.
According to the Orange County Property Appraiser, Hill and the victim purchased the home on August 18, 2022, for $295,000. The seller is listed as the Secretary Of Housing And Urban Development.
The home was built in 1972 and has a 2023 assessed value of $286,005. It is listed as a single-family home with three bedrooms, two baths, and 2,433 square feet of living space. The house sits on a 0.37-acre lot that is adjacent to Lake Mann.
Third-party realty sites such as Zillow.com and Realtor.com value the home at $399,400 and $347,000, respectively.
The Mahalia Place residence
This home is believed to be the primary home where the 96-year-old woman lives. However, it's unclear whether she lives there amid the ongoing investigation.
According to the FDLE, this home was in "disrepair." It appears that Hill and the woman initially connected over the conditions of this home.
It is unclear if Regina Hill has any specific ownership, co-ownership, or direct connection to this home. However, one of the addresses listed in Hill’s pretrial release conditions ordered her not to visit.
Who is Regina Hill?
Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill took office in 2014 after longtime City Commissioner Daisy Lynum announced she would not seek reelection. Hill defeated Lynum's son, Juan, in a runoff election in May of that year. She was subsequently reelected to office in 2017 and 2021 and has advocated for more jobs, education opportunities, business development, and affordable housing in District 5, according to the City of Orlando. Here are a few of the projects she has spearheaded:
- Revitalization of Orlando Police Department
- City of Orlando Blueprint – Turner School of Construction Job Training
- Parramore Comprehensive Neighborhood Plans (Church Street Renewal)
- Soccer Stadium
- Parramore Village
- Community Gardens
- Wells Built House Rehabilitation
- Parramore Lymmo BRT Project
Regarding her arrest and the charges brought against her, Hill said in a statement:
"It’s unfortunate that I have been thrust into these circumstances with these allegations," she wrote. "I trust in God above all things, and I trust in the process. After 10 years of service for the City of Orlando, I've illustrated my love and compassion for my constituents, my city, and my family. I know the truth; I know I'm entitled to due process, which I trust, and I will await my day in court to prove my innocence."
Why was Regina Hill arrested?
Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill was arrested Thursday amid an investigation into elderly exploitation and fraud, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
According to arrest records, Hill was charged with three counts of exploitation of the elderly, mortgage fraud, a scheme to defraud, and two counts of fraud impersonation. She's being held at the Orange County Jail on $40,000 bond.
Special Agent in Charge John Vecchio is scheduled to hold a press conference Thursday afternoon to provide more details about the arrest.
The investigation into Hill began after the FDLE was tipped off by her former aide.
Investigators learned she established power of attorney over a woman and allegedly went on to buy a home with the woman listed as the co-owner without her approval. Additionally, Hill is accused of using the woman's money to buy things like a facelift, IV infusions, a New Year's Eve stay in Miami, car insurance, and dental surgery.
These alleged transactions exceeded $100,000.
What happens after Regina Hill's arrest?
Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill may have been arrested, but she has not been suspended from office yet. That power lies with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, pursuant to Florida Statute 112.51. It reads, in part:
"Whenever any elected or appointed municipal official is arrested for a felony or for a misdemeanor related to the duties of office or is indicted or informed against for the commission of a federal felony or misdemeanor or state felony or misdemeanor, the Governor has the power to suspend such municipal official from office."
If DeSantis suspends Hill from Office, the City of Orlando will work with the Supervisor of Elections to hold a special election to temporarily fill the District 5 City Commission seat.