A special prosecutor has found ‘clear probable cause’ to proceed with impeachment proceedings against Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa, accused of ethics violations that include the disbursement of $50,000 in grants for businesses owned by her and her family.

Investigation Details

The report, signed by special prosecutor Mayanne Downs, states the grants were public funds obtained through the BOOST 2.0 small-business grant program, comprised of COVID-19 recovery funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. It also alleges she had retained public money without disclosing her personal interests despite the city attorney advising that accepting it created a prohibited conflict of interest.

The prosecutor recommended no further action on four other allegations but urged the city to consider referring the grant matter to law enforcement and state ethics authorities.

According to the report, ‘Public office is a trust, not a trough. The BOOST 2.0 program was created to help Kissimmee’s small businesses survive a pandemic, not to enrich the official who controlled it. No warning should have been necessary; the oath of office is warning enough. The people of Kissimmee are entitled to a full and public accounting of where their money went, and the return of those monies,’

Espinosa didn’t deny that she and members of her family took the money and claimed ‘she was not warned until after the funds had been received that she should not take them,’ according to the report.

Next Steps

It’s up to the City Commission to decide what to do next, as the special prosecutor has found probable cause that Espinosa violated 3 separate Kissimmee ethics provisions.

Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.