KISSIMMEE, Fla. \u2013 Kissimmee Mayor Eva Jacquelyn Espinosa was arrested on charges she improperly obtained $50,000 in city grant funds for businesses owned or controlled by her family, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced.<\/p>\n
Espinosa faces one count of grand theft, a second-degree felony, and one count of organized scheme to defraud, a first-degree felony. The charges are allegations; the warrant says a judge found probable cause.<\/p>\n
According to the arrest warrant, Espinosa took office in November 2024 and later advocated for and voted on the creation and expansion of the city\u2019s Business Boost 2.0 program, which used federal American Rescue Plan Act money to provide one-time aid to eligible small businesses.<\/p>\n
Read the full arrest report below.<\/p>\n
When applications opened in September 2025, Espinosa and immediate family members applied for grants for three businesses they owned or controlled, seeking a total of $50,000. The applications were approved, and the money was deposited into accounts linked to the family on Nov. 7, the warrant says.<\/p>\n
The city attorney told Espinosa on Dec. 5 that accepting the funds created a prohibited conflict of interest and advised her to return the money, according to the warrant. Investigators say she did not return it or take other corrective action.<\/p>\n
The warrant says Espinosa told investigators she disagreed with the city attorney\u2019s opinion and believed it was motivated by personal animus. It also says she maintained that her businesses had suffered losses related to COVID-19.<\/p>\n
\u201cPublic officials do not get to write the rules and then write themselves a check,\u201d Uthmeier said, adding that the grant money was intended to help small businesses recover, not enrich the mayor who controlled the program.<\/p>\n
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said Espinosa \u201cabused that trust and cashed in at the taxpayers\u2019 expense.\u201d <\/p>\n
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Larry Keefe said the agency\u2019s investigation followed an audit that identified the case.<\/p>\n
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