Mayor of Kissimmee FL Arrested on Grand Theft Fraud Charge
See how LiveNOW from Fox are framing this — we run every side, so you decide. News for humans, not bots: serious, civil discussion among real people, with the context and facts you need. Don't just watch: be on the air with your own video takes, polls and predictions.
EVERY NETWORK'S FRAMING
“KISSIMMEE MAYOR ARRESTED FOR GRAND THEFT”
covered 6d ago ▶ Be on the air with LiveNOW from FoxWatch the moment
Add your voice
Topic poll · all networksWhat's the most likely outcome for Kissimmee's mayor?
Topic poll · all networksWhat do Kissimmee residents lose most when their mayor steals?
Kissimmee sits just ~20 miles from Walt Disney World!
Tourism dominates Osceola County's economy. When COVID shuttered theme parks in 2020, the area lost billions — making federal relief funds both desperately needed and, allegedly, a tempting target for fraud.
A routine CFO audit of COVID grants sparked the Kissimmee probe!
Florida's CFO ordered audits of local governments' COVID-19 grant programs. Irregularities in Kissimmee's Business Boost 2.0 program flagged by accountants led criminal investigators to Mayor Jackie Espinoza.
U.S. pandemic relief fraud may total over $100 billion.
The GAO estimated in 2023 that fraud across COVID-19 relief programs — including PPP and EIDL — could exceed $100 billion. Florida's AG created a Public Integrity Unit specifically to pursue cases like Kissimmee Mayor Espinoza's.
Topic poll · all networksIn Florida, what minimum dollar amount makes theft Grand Theft?
- $300
- $500
- $750
- $1,000
Guess, then reveal the answer
$750
