From Orlando Sentinel:
Angela Eady becomes Kissimmee mayor following suspension of Jackie Espinsoa
Angela Eady, now acting mayor for Kissimmee following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ suspension of Jackie Espinosa, says it’s business as usual for the Osceola County city.
“City services continue as normal and our employees are on the job,” Eady said in a video posted on Facebook on Saturday. “My focus is simple. To keep the work that is already underway moving and make sure city government remains transparent, accountable and responsible to you.”
Eady, a city commissioner and vice mayor, assumed the office following DeSantis’ suspension of mayor Espinosa on Friday night, the city said. Under DeSantis’ executive order, Espinosa may not perform any official duties or receive pay during her suspension.
Espinosa was arrested on Oct. 21, the climax to an ongoing controversy over complaints that $90,000 in city grants illegally went to businesses linked to her and her family.
The investigation, detailed in a 26-page affidavit released by the Florida Attorney General’s office, accused her of using $50,000 in grants funded with federal pandemic relief money to benefit three such companies despite warnings by city officials that it could be illegal. Investigators also said four businesses that rented space in buildings Espinosa owned wrongly received $40,000 in grants.
Espinosa, 58, has not denied the businesses received the money but has long argued any small business in the city was entitled to apply and she did nothing wrong in seeking the funds as the COVID pandemic hurt the local economy.
On Oct. 22, in a hearing at the Osceola County Jail, Espinosa pleaded not guilt and was was granted a $70,000 bond to secure her release.
In a news release, Kissimmee said Eady will serve as mayor until Espinosa’s suspension is revoked or the current mayoral term ends, whichever comes first.
“While she serves as Mayor, her Commission seat (Seat 2) is temporarily open,” the news release said. “Under the Charter, the City Commission is now tasked with appointing a qualified person to fill the seat by a majority vote of all remaining Commission members. The appointee would serve as a Commissioner in Seat 2, not as Vice Mayor, until Mayor Eady returns to her seat.
“If the Commission does not make an appointment, Section 25 of the Charter provides for a special election to fill Seat 2.”
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