Former Osceola County Commission candidate accused of running as ghost candidate

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — A former Osceola County commissioner candidate is facing 14 charges after the candidate who ran against him accused him of being a ghost candidate.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it spent nine months investigating Carlos Irizarry after opposing candidate Jackie Espinosa filed a complaint with FDLE.

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Espinosa handed over text messages and accused Irizarry of being paid to run, which is something Irizarry maintains is not true.

FDLE officials said they followed the money and found Irizarry reported fake campaign expenses and lied about charitable donations.

According to FDLE, after looking at Irizarry’s bank records they say he spent campaign funds on personal items like day spas and restaurants.

Read: ‘Just gossiping’: Former Osceola County commissioner candidate speaks out after arrest

Irizarry told Channel 9 Monday that he wouldn’t comment on those expenses, but did fiercely deny accusations he entered the race only to split the vote.

“I ran because I believe that Osceola County needs more planning than homes,” Irizarry said.

Meanwhile, Espinosa points to a larger problem that she believes her complaint exposed.

Read: Former Osceola County commissioner candidate arrested, accused of violating campaign laws

“The fact that this action was taken to make sure that Cheryl Grieb, the incumbent and now current commissioner, would win this race concerns me,” Espinosa said. “I believe a select group of voters and individuals have been disenfranchised and I will not stop until our voice is heard.”

Channel 9 reached out to Grieb but have not heard back.

‘Just gossiping’: Former Osceola County commissioner candidate speaks out after arrest (WFTV)

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