James Uthmeier Announces Arrest of Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa for Grand Theft

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest of Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa on charges of felony grand theft and organized scheme to defraud while speaking at a press conference in Orlando this week.

According to Attorney General Uthmeier, Mayor Espinosa is accused of directing $50,000 in COVID-19 relief grants from the Kissimmee Boost 2.0 program to local businesses tied financially to her and her family. Espinosa also previously approved and voted to expand the grant program on the City Commission without disclosing the personal ties.

"We hold corrupt public officials accountable. If you are going to abuse your office, if you are going to abuse the public trust to enrich yourself or family members, we are going to find you, and we are going to hold you accountable," Uthmeier said. 

Attorney General Uthmeier called the evidence against Mayor Espinosa "clear" and a "conflict of interest" for personal gain.

Today, we announced the arrest of Kissimmee Mayor Eva Jacquelyn Espinosa for Grand Theft and Organized Scheme to Defraud. Mayor Espinosa used her position to push a grant program, then took $50,000 from it to enrich her family’s businesses.

Public officials do not get to write… pic.twitter.com/SzCHtXqvoT

— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) October 21, 2026

"Mayor Espinosa demonstrated an intent to create, streamline, and simplify, reduce oversight of, and more easily enable a process whereby herself and immediate family could apply for and receive city funds to which she was not entitled," Uthmeier said. 

Espinosa has been mayor of Kissimmee since 2024.

"Everybody here in the community has a duty to engage in good civility with others in the public. But government officials, public servants, are held to an even higher standard. It is up to them to do right in serving the people, not act in corrupt fashion, enriching themselves, breaking the law... let this be a message for everybody out there that there is zero tolerance when it comes to public corruption, we will hold violators accountable," Uthmeier said. 

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Blaise Ingoglia and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Larry O'Keefe joined Uthmeier for the announcement.

The investigation began through CFO Ingoglia and the Department of Financial Services, who noticed "irregularities" concerning the awarding of grants through the Boost 2.0 program.

"Seven businesses located in properties owned or managed by Jackie Espinosa's family received a combined total of $90,000 in grant funds. 50,000 went to Espinosa's businesses, while 40,000 went to tenants in Espinosa's businesses, so 50,000 directly, 40,000 indirectly," Ingoglia said.

CFO Ingoglia indicated Espinosa could face 30 years in prison.

I have made it abundantly clear, and I will continue to make it abundantly clear that corruption has no place in the state of Florida. I do not care if you are a Democrat. I do not care if you are a Republican. If you steal from the taxpayers, we will find you," Ingoglia added.