KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Kissimmee Mayor Eva Jacquelyn Espinosa was taken into custody today on serious criminal charges, accused of orchestrating a scheme to funnel $50,000 in federal grant funds into businesses owned or controlled by her own family.
The arrest was announced by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who confirmed that Espinosa faces one count of grand theft, a second-degree felony, and one count of organized scheme to defraud, a first-degree felony. A judge has already found probable cause to support the warrant.
The controversy centers on the city’s “Business Boost 2.0” program, an initiative designed to provide one-time financial aid to small businesses using federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. According to the arrest warrant, Espinosa, who assumed office in November 2024, actively advocated for and voted to approve the creation and expansion of the program.
When the grant application window opened in September 2025, investigators say Espinosa and her immediate family members applied for funding on behalf of three separate businesses. The applications were approved, and $50,000 was deposited into accounts linked to the mayor’s family on Nov. 7.
The alleged deception did not go unnoticed for long. The warrant states that on Dec. 5, the city attorney formally notified Espinosa that her acceptance of the funds constituted a prohibited conflict of interest. She was explicitly advised to return the money to the city. However, investigators claim that Espinosa refused to return the funds or take any corrective action to rectify the situation.
During subsequent interviews with authorities, Espinosa maintained that she was entitled to the grants, citing losses her businesses suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic. She further claimed that the city attorney’s legal opinion was driven by personal animus rather than professional concern.
Attorney General Uthmeier took a stern stance against the allegations, emphasizing that public office is a position of responsibility, not personal gain. “Public officials do not get to write the rules and then write themselves a check,” Uthmeier said. “This grant money was intended to help struggling small businesses recover, not to enrich the mayor who controlled the program.”
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia echoed those sentiments, stating that the mayor had “abused that trust and cashed in at the taxpayers’ expense.”
The investigation was spearheaded by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) following an audit that flagged the irregularities. FDLE Commissioner Larry Keefe confirmed that the audit served as the catalyst for the criminal probe.
As of Tuesday, the mayor remains in custody pending further court proceedings. City officials have yet to comment on how this arrest will impact the day-to-day operations of the Kissimmee municipal government.
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