Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa arrested for fraud and grand theft

Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa was arrested on Wednesday morning and charged with second-degree felony grand theft and first-degree felony organized scheme to defraud. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia allege that Espinosa used her position to influence the creation and oversight of the city’s ‘Business Boost 2.0’ program to benefit her own family-connected businesses.

The program, funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act, allegedly allowed Espinosa and her immediate family to secure $50,000 in grants for three entities: The Real Estate Gallery, Kissimmee Diner, and Andanse LLC. Investigators also scrutinized an additional $40,000 in grants distributed to tenants of properties owned or managed by the Espinosa family.

According to state officials, the city attorney warned Espinosa in December 2025 that accepting the funds created a conflict of interest and advised her to return the money, but she allegedly failed to do so. Espinosa, who was released from the Osceola County Jail after posting a $70,000 bond, maintains her innocence and disputes any criminal intent.