Kissimmee, Florida, Mayor Jackie Espinosa was arrested Wednesday on charges of grand theft and organized fraud related to a city grant program designed to aid small businesses recovering from the coronavirus pandemic, state officials announced.

During a news conference, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier detailed that Espinosa voted to approve the Kissimmee Business Boost 2.0 program and subsequently submitted three applications for approximately $50,000 in funds intended for herself and family members. The grant applications were filed on the day the program opened in September 2025. Uthmeier emphasized that while the program’s guidelines at the time did not explicitly bar elected officials from applying, it was not intended to allow government officials to benefit personally.

Espinosa has held the mayoral position in Kissimmee, a city south of Orlando, since November 2024. Although the mayor’s office is officially nonpartisan, Espinosa is a registered Democrat.

According to jail records, Espinosa was booked on one count of grand theft involving property valued between $20,000 and $100,000 and one count of organized fraud involving property valued over $50,000.

Espinosa’s attorney, Migdalia Perez, issued a statement asserting the mayor’s innocence. Perez described the case as involving a “publicly approved grant program administered by City staff,” contending it is not a “secret scheme to steal taxpayer money.” She maintained that criminal intent must be established for a conviction and argued there is a significant distinction between allegations of ethics violations and criminal offenses. Perez indicated the defense would challenge the charges vigorously in court.

When asked how the alleged conduct constituted criminal wrongdoing rather than just an ethics breach, Uthmeier said evidence would show that Espinosa influenced policy decisions to facilitate her access to the funds. He also expressed confidence in the prosecution’s case.

Earlier this year, special prosecutor Mayanne Downs recommended probable cause for impeachment articles against Espinosa based on ethics complaints linked to $50,000 in city grant money awarded to three businesses owned by her family. Perez contested Downs’ findings, stating that city staff determined grant eligibility independently and denying that Espinosa used her position to receive preferential treatment. Perez also noted that the mayor cooperated with the investigation.

The case was referred to Uthmeier’s office by Eric Soskin, who previously led Florida’s DOGE operation. Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, present at the news conference, said an audit conducted by his office uncovered irregularities in the grant awards, which led to the referrals to investigators.

Officials said charging documents would be released, but they were not available as of this report.