Jeremy Fetzer turns himself in for misdemeanor perjury

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Political consultant Jeremy Fetzer, an ally of Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa, turned himself in Friday morning to face a misdemeanor perjury charge.

Fetzer operates several political websites and has supported candidates including Espinosa. He previously told Channel 9 that he was a private citizen who supported the mayor but did not have a paid business relationship with her.

The case involves a notarized complaint Fetzer filed seeking the impeachment of Kissimmee City Commissioner Janette Martinez. The filing accused Martinez of improperly intervening in city business to help a friend seeking a food truck permit.

Martinez said the filing included false information attributed to a city employee.

Special Prosecutor Mayanne Downs later cleared Martinez, finding the complaint was “factually and legally deficient” and that there was no probable cause to pursue an enforcement action against her.

“I’m glad justice is being served,” Martinez told Channel 9 on Friday. “This is what happens when people make false accusations.”

In a separate interview with Channel 9, Martinez criticized the misdemeanor classification of the charge.

“I’m disappointed that what I believe has caused significant damage to my name, my reputation and my election is being treated as a misdemeanor rather than a felony,” Martinez said.

“For me, this is not simply about the classification of a charge. It is about accountability and the real consequences that false statements and allegations can have on someone’s life, career, public service and reputation.”

Martinez said she would continue pursuing the matter through the appropriate legal channels.

“I will not be intimidated, distracted or silenced,” she said. “My reputation matters, accountability matters and the truth matters.”

Espinosa has faced a separate ethics investigation and potential impeachment over $50,000 in COVID-19 relief funding awarded to businesses connected to her family through Kissimmee’s BOOST 2.0 program.

Downs found probable cause to pursue three articles of impeachment against Espinosa. The mayor has denied wrongdoing and said her husband applied for the grants.

The Kissimmee City Commission voted 2-2 Tuesday on whether to begin impeachment proceedings against Espinosa, meaning the measure failed to pass. Florida’s chief financial officer has also asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s public corruption unit to investigate the grant funding.

Channel 9 has requested Fetzer’s arrest report from the Kissimmee Police Department and sought comment from Fetzer and the city.