KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Jackie Espinosa remains mayor of Kissimmee following her arrest Wednesday morning, with no suspension in place at the time of Channel 9’s reporting.
The city charter outlines a process for the vice mayor to step in if the mayor is suspended. That process has not been invoked.
The question of what comes next for city leadership follows Espinosa’s arrest on grand theft and organized scheme to defraud charges involving $50,000 in city grants awarded to family businesses.
Who would take over if the mayor is suspended?
Section 25 of Kissimmee’s city charter provides for the vice mayor to fill in if the mayor is suspended, according to Channel 9’s review.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Espinosa had not been suspended and continued to hold the office.
Channel 9’s Dave Jordan spent the day at City Hall asking questions about what comes next.
Resident who sought records calls for resignation
Claudia Zuco, who said she obtained documents about the grants through a public records request, called on Espinosa to resign.
“I believe she should resign for the good of the city before she is removed by the governor,” Zuco said.
Zuco also acknowledged that the criminal charges are allegations.
“Let’s keep in mind the mayor is innocent until proven guilty,” she said.
Arrest follows scrutiny of city grants
For more than a year, Channel 9 has investigated allegations involving Espinosa and the city’s Business Boost 2.0 program.
State investigators allege Espinosa helped create and expand the pandemic relief program, then applied alongside immediate family members for grants benefiting three businesses they owned or controlled.
The attorney general’s office says the family received a combined $50,000. Investigators allege Espinosa declined to return the money after the city attorney warned that accepting it created a prohibited conflict of interest.
Espinosa has maintained her innocence. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Attorney disputes criminal allegations
Espinosa’s attorney, Migdalia Perez, said the mayor maintains her innocence and disputes that she acted with criminal intent.
“This case involves a publicly approved grant program administered by City staff, not a secret scheme to steal taxpayer money,” Perez said in a statement.
Perez argued that an alleged ethics violation is distinct from a criminal offense and that prosecutors must prove every element of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
“We intend to challenge these allegations vigorously in court,” she said. “Mayor Espinosa deserves the presumption of innocence, not a presumption of guilt because she has been arrested.”
Follow Channel 9’s continuing coverage of Espinosa’s arrest here.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2026 Cox Media Group
