Kissimmee mayor censured and arrested over COVID relief grants

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 19:32 · Archive

Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa was formally censured and fined after her family's businesses received $50,000 in federal COVID-19 relief grants through a city programme.

Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa was formally censured and fined $2,000 by the Florida Commission on Ethics on Friday after approving a joint stipulation agreement. The action followed her arrest on Wednesday on charges of grand theft and organised scheme to defraud, both stemming from the same conduct.

Espinosa's family businesses received a combined $50,000 in grants through the city's BOOST 2.0 grant programme, which used federal COVID-19 relief money to assist Kissimmee businesses. According to the arrest warrant, Espinosa took office in November 2024 and later advocated for and voted on the creation and expansion of the programme. When applications opened in September 2025, she and immediate family members applied for grants for three businesses they owned or controlled. The applications were approved and the money was deposited on 7 November. The city attorney advised Espinosa on 5 December that accepting the funds created a prohibited conflict of interest and told her to return the money. Investigators say she did not return it or take corrective action.

Espinosa has insisted there was no criminal conduct. 'The businesses were entitled to this money,' she told News 6. 'This money was set aside in 2021, way before I was the mayor.' She said she disagreed with the city attorney's opinion. A censure is a formal reprimand and does not remove an elected official from office or suspend them.

How it is being reported

• Florida ethics panel formally censures Kissimmee mayor after her arrest on fraud chargesKissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa was formally censured and fined Friday after the Florida Commission on Ethics approved a joint stipulation agreement, according to reporting from our Orlando sister station WKMG.News4Jax · 23 Oct, 19:01
• Florida ethics panel formally censures Kissimmee mayor after her arrestKissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa was formally censured and fined Friday after the Florida Commission on Ethics approved a joint stipulation agreement.Clickorlando · 23 Oct, 15:12

In this story: Jackie Espinosa · Kissimmee · Florida Commission on Ethics

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