ORLANDO, Fla. – An arraignment hearing for the suspended Orlando city commissioner accused of elderly exploitation is set for Tuesday in circuit court, but Commissioner Regina Hill likely won’t be there.
Hill’s attorney entered a not-guilty plea to the charges of elderly exploitation ahead of Tuesday’s hearing and waived her appearance.
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Hill is accused of exploiting a 96-year-old woman and taking more than $100,000 from her, according to investigators with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Court documents uncovered by News 6 show Hill is accused of establishing a power of attorney over the woman and then getting a mortgage for a home in the Lake Mann Estates area of Orlando without the woman’s knowledge.
FDLE also said Hill used more than $100,000 of the woman’s cash and credit cards to buy expensive items, take a trip, get medical treatments and more.
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Hill was arrested earlier this month and Gov. Ron DeSantis subsequently suspended her from office.
“After 10 years of service for the City of Orlando, I’ve illustrated my love and compassion for my constituents, my city, and my family. I know the truth; I know I’m entitled to due process, in which I trust, and I will await my day in court to prove my innocence,” Hill said in a statement released earlier this month.
Meanwhile, 11 people, so far, have filed to run in a special election to serve as interim commissioner for District 5 until the case is concluded.
The city set Tuesday for official qualifying for the race — that means prospective candidates must have all fees and filings into the city clerk’s office by 5 p.m. Tuesday. Candidates who chose to file to run via a petition method needed to have all petitions in by Monday at noon.
The 11 candidates are:
- Moliere Dimanche
- Ricardo Griffin
- Cameron Hope
- Cocoa King
- Toni Smith
The election is set for Tuesday, May 21. More information is on the City of Orlando website.
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