Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa Arrested on Theft and Fraud Charges
The mayor of Kissimmee, Florida, a businesswoman of Puerto Rican descent, was arrested on Oct. 21, 2026, accused of diverting $50,000 in pandemic relief funds to businesses linked to her and her family.
File photoThe short version
- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest of Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa on charges of grand theft and organized scheme to defraud
- Authorities allege Espinosa diverted $50,000 in federal pandemic recovery funds to three businesses linked to her and her family without disclosing her interests
- Metro Puerto Rico reported that three businesses linked to the mayor received $50,000 through a municipal program for small businesses affected by the pandemic
- NotiCel reported that Espinosa was detained near her residence and booked into the Osceola County jail
Arrest Announced by Florida Officials
The mayor of Kissimmee, Jackie Espinosa, a businesswoman of Puerto Rican descent, was arrested on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. Metro Puerto Rico reported that Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier confirmed the arrest and said Espinosa faces charges of grand theft and organized scheme to defraud. El Nuevo Día reported that Uthmeier, a Republican seeking reelection, announced a press conference for 2 p.m. at the Orlando office with CFO Ingoglia and FDLE Commissioner Keefe to provide more information.
According to NotiCel, Espinosa was detained near her residence and taken to the Osceola County jail. Authorities allege she diverted $50,000 in federal pandemic recovery funds to three businesses linked to her and her family without disclosing personal and financial interests. Metro Puerto Rico reported that the funds came through a municipal program designed to help small businesses affected by the pandemic.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
This morning, we arrested Kissimmee mayor Jackie Espinosa and are charging her with Grand Theft and Organized Scheme to Defraud. We will be holding a press conference at 2pm at our Orlando office with CFO Ingoglia and FDLE Commissioner Keefe to provide more information.
The source's own post, quoted as published. Not verified by PuertoRico.com. View post
Prior Ethics Investigation
El Nuevo Día reported that in August Espinosa survived an internal removal process in the Kissimmee City Commission after facing ethics complaints related to three companies owned by her or her husband that received $50,000 from the Business Boost 2.0 program. The commission vote on initiating removal was tied 2-2.
NotiCel reported that an ethics investigation later found probable cause that she violated state law. Metro Puerto Rico reported that in September, Telemundo Orlando reported that Espinosa admitted a violation of state ethics law and proposed an agreement to end a complaint filed with the Florida Ethics Commission.
Where the sources differ
All three sources agree that Jackie Espinosa was arrested on Oct. 21, 2026, on charges of grand theft and organized scheme to defraud related to $50,000 in pandemic relief funds directed to businesses linked to her. Metro Puerto Rico and El Nuevo Día attribute the announcement to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and quote his statement about the arrest and upcoming press conference. NotiCel adds that she was detained near her residence and booked into Osceola County jail, and that the funds were federal. El Nuevo Día provides the most detail on the prior ethics probe, the specific companies that received the funds (Adanse LLC, Kissimmee Diner Inc., The Real Estate Gallery LLC), the special prosecutor’s findings, and the 2-2 commission vote. Metro Puerto Rico notes the September Telemundo Orlando report on Espinosa’s admission of an ethics violation.
What the reports do not say
The sources do not state whether Espinosa has entered a plea to the criminal charges, the exact date the funds were received, whether any money has been repaid, the outcome of the state Ethics Commission investigation, or what specific actions will follow the press conference. No information is given on the current status of her position as mayor or any potential impact on the 2028 election.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Arrestan a la alcaldesa de Kissimmee, Jackie Espinosa
- Reporting Arrestan a la alcaldesa de Kissimmee, Jackie Espinosa
- Reporting Arrestan a la alcaldesa de Kissimmee
- Reporting Arrestan a la alcaldesa boricua de Kissimmee, Jackie Espinosa, tras ser imputada de robo y fraude
How we checked this
Metro Puerto Rico, NotiCel and El Nuevo Día each reported on the arrest announced by Attorney General James Uthmeier. Details on the detention location and jail come only from NotiCel. The specific companies, ethics report quotes and commission vote appear only in El Nuevo Día. The Telemundo Orlando report on an ethics admission is cited solely by Metro Puerto Rico.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.