Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa Accepts $2,000 Fine in State Ethics Case

Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa agreed to a $2,000 civil fine and a public reprimand on Friday, October 23, settling a state ethics case. The Florida Commission on Ethics voted unanimously to approve the joint resolution agreement. The commission also formally censured Espinosa, finding that she violated Section 112.3137 of the Florida Statutes by maintaining an employment or contractual relationship with an entity that did business with her agency.

The ethics ruling came days after Espinosa was arrested on grand theft and fraud charges. Prosecutors allege the mayor helped create and expand the City of Kissimmee’s Business Boost 2.0 program. They claim she then directed $50,000 in grants to businesses linked to herself or her family while ignoring ethical concerns raised by city staff. The Florida Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement filed the criminal charges based on these allegations.

Court documents detail the distribution of the relief funds. Four businesses that rent space in a building owned by the mayor received $10,000 each. Three other grants totaled $50,000. The Real Estate Gallery, owned by Espinosa’s husband, received $15,000. The Kissimmee Diner, which closed five months after receiving its $15,000 grant, was also a recipient. Andanse LLC, a company owned by the mayor and leased to a family member, received the largest share of $20,000.

Espinosa was released from jail on a $70,000 bond posted Thursday night. Speaking briefly to reporters, she urged Kissimmee residents to vote in the November 3 election. She told them the city would be okay. The mayor and her husband had not responded to media requests for comment regarding the arrest or the specific allegations by the time of the ethics hearing.

Lillian Evans, one of three individuals who filed formal ethics complaints against the mayor, attended the Friday hearing. In a letter to the commission, Evans argued that a $2,000 fine was too lenient a penalty. A commissioner quickly cut off Evans when she attempted to speak during the meeting. Evans later expressed relief over the criminal arrest, stating that the mayor needed to pay for taking money from the city’s people.

The city charter does not specify the exact procedure for a sitting mayor who is arrested. A city spokesperson said Espinosa remains mayor unless she is suspended, removed, or resigns. Governor Ron DeSantis holds the power to remove elected officials from office and has done so in previous cases. The governor’s office had not made an announcement about Espinosa’s position as of Friday.