KISSIMMEE, Fla. – An ethics investigation involving Kissimmee’s mayor and a city commissioner is now headed to the Ninth Judicial Circuit after a city commission vote Tuesday night.
Commissioners voted to forward a more than 100-page ethics complaint to the circuit, where a special prosecutor will be appointed to review the allegations.
The complaint against Mayor Jackie Espinosa was filed by Kissimmee resident Alexander Alemi, who addressed commissioners during the meeting and said he felt compelled to act.
“I think this is how our government functions,” Alemi said. “We have to hold our elected officials responsible.”
Alemi said he filed the complaint following frustration over the firing of the city attorney in February.
According to the complaint, then-City Attorney Olga Sanchez de Fuentes sent Mayor Jackie Espinosa an email in December raising several ethics concerns. The concerns stemmed from Espinosa and her family businesses receiving $50,000 in COVID-19 relief funds through a city-run program.
In January, Espinosa sent a formal notice to the city attorney indicating that action to terminate her would be taken at the next commission meeting.
Alemi also alleges that Espinosa improperly communicated directly with city departments and staff instead of going through the city manager.
“You just want someone to oversee it, and if the Ninth Circuit does see there is something further to investigate, then they will take the proper steps,” Alemi said.
During the meeting, residents spoke both in support of and against the mayor before commissioners ultimately voted to send the complaint forward.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to let the citizens know they are welcome to join us and express their feelings,” Mayor Jackie Espinosa said.
Espinosa said she welcomes the investigation and stands by her leadership.
“I feel that we are doing amazing things in the city of Kissimmee,” she said. “I think that is part of the challenge. People don’t want to see the growth, development and other things.”
The commission also voted to forward a separate ethics complaint against Commissioner Janette Martinez, who is accused of pressuring the city’s planning and development board to benefit her own business interests.
It is unclear when the Ninth Judicial Circuit will appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the two complaints.