ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-63 Monday, suspending City Commissioner for the City of Orlando, Regina Hill, in accordance with the Florida Constitution and sections 112.51(1) and 112.51(2), Florida Statutes.
On March 27, 2024, Regina Hill was indicted in the Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit in and for Orange County on three counts of Exploitation of Elderly Person or Disabled Person Greater than $50,000, one count of Scheme to Defraud of $50,000 or More, one count of Fraudulent Use of Personal Identification Over $100,000, and one count of Mortgage Fraud Greater than $100,000.
Following a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) investigation, FDLE arrested Orlando District 5 Commissioner Regina Hill, 58, on charges including exploitation of the elderly, fraudulent use of personal identification, and mortgage fraud.
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The investigation began when the Office of the Attorney General forwarded a complaint to FDLE, alleging that Hill was taking advantage of a 96-year-old elderly citizen. Hill first came in contact with the victim, through her position as a city commissioner, after it was discovered that the victim was living in deplorable conditions.
At first glance, Hill’s actions appeared well-intentioned as she coordinated the clean-up of the victim’s residence and other community resources. However, the investigation revealed that in just over a month’s time, Hill was able obtain power of attorney over the victim and financially exploit her for a period of approximately three years.
During the initial investigation, agents discovered that Hill fraudulently obtained a second power of attorney to purchase a home with the victim as the co-signor without the victim’s knowledge or consent, for a cost exceeding $400,000.
Agents also learned that the victim owned a second residence that Hill took residence in. Hill used approximately $15,400 of the victim’s money to renovate the residence she moved into, without the victim’s knowledge.
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Further investigative work revealed Hill also gained access to the elderly victim’s personal checking, savings, and credit card accounts, spending over $100,000 of the victim’s money for her own personal benefit.
“The public’s trust in its leaders is essential. Officials who commit crimes against those they represent will be investigated and held accountable,” says FDLE Orlando Special Agent in Charge John Vecchio. “I commend our agents and partners whose work helps ensure that the people of Central Florida are protected.”
Hill was arrested by FDLE agents and booked into the Orange County Jail on the felony charges of:
- three (3) counts of Exploitation of an elderly person, a first degree felony
- one (1) count of Scheme to defraud over $50,000, a first degree felony
- one (1) count of Fraudulent use of personal identification information to purchase over $100,000 in services, a first degree felony
- one (1) count of Fraudulent use of personal identification information of a parent/guardian/custodian, a second degree felony
- and (1) one count of Mortgage fraud, a second degree felony
She is being held on a $40,000 bond. If convicted, Hill faces a maximum of 180 years in prison.
Article IV, section 7(c) of the Florida Constitution states: “[b]y order of the governor any elected municipal officer indicted for crime may be suspended from office until acquitted and the office filled by appointment for the period of suspension, not to extend beyond the term, unless these powers are vested elsewhere by law or the municipal charter.”
Section 112.51(1), Florida Statutes, provides that the Governor may suspend from office any elected municipal officer for malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, habitual drunkenness, incompetence, or permanent inability to perform official duties.
Section 112.51(2), Florida Statutes, provides that the Governor may suspend from office any elected municipal officer who is indicted or informed against for the commission of a state felony or misdemeanor.
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