KISSIMMEE, FL — Kissimmee Mayor Eva Jacquelyn “Jackie” Espinosa was arrested Wednesday on two felony charges after allegedly receiving $50,000 in COVID-19 relief funds through a grant program she helped create and expand. According to arrest documents, Espinosa disregarded ethics warnings, refused to return the money, and vowed to fight any complaint. Well, that didn’t work out too well for her.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Espinosa advocated for and voted on the creation and expansion of Kissimmee’s Business Boost 2.0 program, which used federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to assist small businesses experiencing financial hardship.
Investigators allege that Espinosa and members of her immediate family applied for and received a combined $50,000 through three businesses they owned or controlled.
The arrest affidavit identifies the businesses as Adanse LLC, which received $20,000; Kissimmee Diner Inc., doing business as Matador Tacos & Tapas, which received $15,000; and The Real Estate Gallery LLC, which received $15,000.
The three grants accounted for approximately 19.6% of the $255,000 distributed during the program’s first funding round.
City Attorney Warned Mayor About Ethics Violations
According to the affidavit, former Kissimmee City Attorney Olga Sanchez de Fuentes told investigators that she warned Espinosa about the potential conflict of interest involving the grant money.
During a meeting with city officials, Espinosa allegedly stated that she did not care about an ethics complaint, would fight any complaint filed against her, and was unconcerned about the financial cost because she had “done it before.”
Investigators also uncovered internal communications showing that employees in the city’s Economic Development Department questioned whether Espinosa should be permitted to receive the grants.
Despite those concerns, the three applications were approved on November 4, 2025, and the money was deposited into accounts connected to the Espinosa family three days later.
On December 5, 2025, Sanchez de Fuentes formally advised Espinosa that accepting the grants created a prohibited conflict of interest and recommended returning the money.
According to investigators, Espinosa refused and took no corrective action.
Attorney General Announces Criminal Charges
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest, accusing Espinosa of using her public office to benefit her family’s businesses.
“Public officials do not get to write the rules and then write themselves a check,” Uthmeier said.
Espinosa faces one count of grand theft involving $20,000 to $100,000, a second-degree felony, and one count of organized scheme to defraud involving $50,000 or more, a first-degree felony.
The investigation was conducted jointly by FDLE and the Florida Department of Financial Services. The case will be prosecuted by the Office of Statewide Prosecution’s Public Integrity Unit. Nothing further at this time.
SOURCE: STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL JAMES UTHMEIER PRESS RELEASE
