Kissimmee Mayor Fined $2,000: Ethics Panel Resolves Grant Case

The Florida Commission on Ethics approved a $2,000 civil fine and public reprimand for Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa on Friday, Oct. 23. The panel voted unanimously to accept the joint resolution agreement, which also includes formal censure. This concludes the ethics case involving business relief funds awarded to the mayor and her relatives during the pandemic.

The commission cited a violation of Section 112.3137 of the Florida Statutes. The rule prohibits state officers from maintaining an employment or contractual relationship with an entity doing business with their agency. The settlement follows Espinosa's arrest early Wednesday on charges of grand theft and fraud. Prosecutors allege she helped create the City of Kissimmee's Business Boost 2.0 program and then directed $50,000 in grants to entities she or her family control.

Court documents detail the distribution of the funds. Four businesses renting space in a building owned by the mayor each received $10,000. Three additional grants totaling $50,000 went to family-linked businesses. The Real Estate Gallery, owned by Espinosa's husband, received $15,000. The Kissimmee Diner, which closed five months after receiving funds, also took $15,000. Andanse LLC, an entity owned by the mayor and leased by a family member, received the final $20,000.

Espinosa posted a $70,000 bond Thursday night and was released from jail. Reporters gathered at the facility as she exited. In a brief statement, she urged voters to participate in the election on Nov. 3. "What I want people to know is what happened yesterday requires all of us to go out and vote November 3rd," Espinosa said. "That's what I want to say and to the constituents of Kissimmee, we will be okay."

Lillian Evans, one of three complainants who filed ethics charges against the mayor, argued the penalty was too light. Evans attended the hearing but was not allowed to speak after a commissioner interrupted her. She expressed relief over the recent arrest. "I felt relief," Evans said. "I felt that we were actually getting what the City of Kissimmee deserves. Somebody that took money from the City of Kissimmee from our people, and she needs to pay for what she did."

The city stated that Espinosa remains mayor unless she resigns, is suspended, or is removed from office. A city spokesperson noted that the local charter does not specify procedures for when a sitting official is arrested. Gov. Ron DeSantis holds the power to remove elected officials from office. His office has not yet announced a decision regarding Espinosa's position.