Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa’s bond set at $70,000 in theft and fraud case

A judge set bond totaling $70,000 for Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa on Thursday during her first court appearance following her arrest on grand theft and organized scheme to defraud charges.Bond was set at $20,000 on count one and $50,000 on count two.The court also dismissed without prejudice a request concerning the source of bond funds, leaving open the possibility that the request could be brought again.Espinosa’s next court date is scheduled for 8 a.m. Dec. 1. The bond ruling does not establish that she has posted bond or been released.Charges involve city business grantsEspinosa was arrested Wednesday morning after state investigators accused her of improperly obtaining $50,000 in city grants benefiting family businesses.Only Channel 9 was there when officers pulled her over shortly after 8 a.m. as she drove away from her home and placed her in handcuffs.Prosecutors allege Espinosa helped create and expand Kissimmee’s Business Boost 2.0 program, then applied alongside immediate