The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, signed Executive Order 26-226 to suspend the mayor of Kissimmee, Eva Jacqulyn "Jackie" Espinosa, nine days after her arrest on charges of grand theft and organized scheme to defraud related to the alleged diversion of federal pandemic relief funds for COVID-19.
The suspension prevents Espinosa from performing his duties, receiving a salary, or obtaining any other benefits associated with the mayor's office while the measure is in effect.
According to the municipal charter of Kissimmee, Vice Mayor Angela Eady immediately took on the role of interim mayor. With her assumption of this position, her seat as commissioner of District 2 became vacant, and the Municipal Commission will need to appoint a replacement.
The case originated in the Business Boost 2.0 program, created with federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to support small businesses impacted by the pandemic.
Espinosa, who took office as mayor in November 2024, promoted and voted for measures to create and expand the program, and then submitted three applications on the same day the registration period opened, in September 2025, for businesses associated with her and her family: Adanse LLC ($20,000), Kissimmee Diner Inc./Matador Tacos & Tapas ($15,000), and The Real Estate Gallery LLC ($15,000).
In total, seven companies located on family properties received $90,000: $50,000 for their own businesses and $40,000 for tenants of their properties. The money was deposited into family accounts on November 7th.
The municipal lawyer warned Espinosa on December 5, 2025, that accepting those funds could constitute a prohibited conflict of interest and recommended that he return them. Authorities claim that he refused to do so.
On October 21, she was arrested on charges of grand theft —a second-degree felony, involving between $20,000 and $100,000— and a scheme to defraud for $50,000 or more, a first-degree felony that can result in up to 30 years in prison.
The Attorney General of Florida, James Uthmeier, was emphatic when announcing the charges: "Public officials cannot write the rules and then issue themselves a check. The mayor used her position to promote a COVID grant program and then took $50,000 from this for her family's businesses, after being warned that it was prohibited."
For his part, the state finance director, Blaise Ingoglia, added: "Public service has that name for a reason; it is not for personal gain. Jackie Espinosa abused that trust and profited at the taxpayers' expense."
Espinosa was initially detained without bail. The following day, a judge set a total bail of $70,000—$20,000 for grand theft and $50,000 for the fraud scheme—after which she was released.
Upon leaving the Osceola County jail, he stated: "To the residents of Kissimmee: we will be fine."
Her defense, led by attorney Migdalia Pérez, argues that "there is a fundamental difference between an alleged ethical violation and a criminal offense" and that "the State must demonstrate criminal intent beyond a reasonable doubt."
Two days after the arrest, the Florida Ethics Commission accepted an agreement in which the accused admitted to violating state ethics laws. As part of that agreement, she will pay a fine of $2,000 and issue a public apology.
Jackie Espinosa, 58 years old, is a politician and real estate investor of Puerto Rican descent, born in New Jersey. According to the Ballotready database, she graduated in Legal Studies in 1989, and after obtaining licenses in real estate management and mortgages, she founded several firms in the city.
Kissimmee, a city of about 85,000 residents in Osceola County, has approximately 68% of its population identified as Hispanic, including thousands of small business owners who applied for these same aids during the pandemic. The county is also home to around 16,900 residents of Cuban origin.
Espinosa's next court hearing is scheduled for December 1, 2026.
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