Lake County Commissioner and attorney Anthony Sabatini has taken to the public arena to question the criminal prosecution of Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa. While Sabatini agrees that the mayor should face consequences for an ethics violation, he contends that turning the matter into a felony grand theft case is fundamentally wrong.

Mayor fined and censured by Ethics Commission

Earlier this week, the Florida Commission on Ethics fined Mayor Espinosa $2,000 and issued a censure under a joint stipulation. The ethics case preceded the criminal case that was announced by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.

Sabatini’s criticism

“They’re taking what’s generally a civil offense or an ethics offense and turning it into criminal behavior. She’s not a thief. She’s not a conspiring thief and I felt the need to speak out because I think it’s fundamentally wrong,” Sabatini said in an interview.

Sabatini also posted on X, criticizing the decision to charge the mayor with felony grand theft and a scheme to defraud. He reviewed documents he says show no probable cause for the criminal allegations.

“In her case, even probable cause doesn’t exist, because I read the entire thing; there’s not a single decision she made to try to enable herself getting more money. They created a program, it was open to everybody, she applied, members of her family applied, and she never actually influenced who did and did not get the applications. So, I think it’s a political stunt. I think it’s wrong,” Sabatini added.

Attorney General’s justification

Attorney General Uthmeier defended the charges, pointing to signed applications, financial records, and bank‑account information as evidence. “You’ll see multiple applications that she herself signed. She did receive the money. I think that’s pretty clearly laid out in the evidence, bank account information. Evidence will further show that she engaged in various policy decisions in this program to streamline and make it more easy for herself to go apply and receive funds,” he said at a press conference.

The AG’s office also noted that the Circuit Court approved an arrest warrant and set bond at the mayor’s first appearance, indicating judicial agreement with the criminal filing.

What the charges involve

The allegations stem from businesses owned by Mayor Espinosa and her family receiving grant money from a COVID‑19 relief program administered by the city of Kissimmee. The state alleges that the mayor used her position to influence the program and secure funds for herself and relatives, constituting felony grand theft and a scheme to defraud.

Local reaction

Residents and local officials have expressed mixed feelings. Some view the criminal charges as a necessary step to uphold accountability, while others echo Sabatini’s concern that the case should remain a civil ethics matter.

Mayor Espinosa has not yet issued a public statement regarding Sabatini’s comments.

Next steps

The criminal case will proceed through the courts, and the Ethics Commission will continue its oversight of the mayor’s conduct. Sabatini says he will keep reviewing the evidence and will continue to speak out if he believes the prosecution overreaches.

Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.