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Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill speaks out after being arrested, accused of elderly exploitation

Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill speaks out after being arrested, accused of elderly exploitation
TIME. WHEN I SEE YOU IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES. ORLANDO CITY COMMISSIONER REGINA HILL SAYS SHE BELIEVES IN THE PROCESS AS SHE LOOKS TO FIGHT THE CRIMINAL INDICTMENT AGAINST HER. ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY DEFRAUDING AN ELDERLY CONSTITUENT, WESH 2’S DAVE MCDANIEL IS LIVE AT ORLANDO CITY HALL RIGHT NOW WITH HOW THIS ARREST COULD IMPACT HER BOTH PERSONALLY AND POLITICALLY. SO FAR, WE’VE NOT HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT HE INTENDS TO SUSPEND TO SUSPEND COMMISSIONER REGINA HILL, BUT WITH THEY FACING THESE CHARGES, THAT IS LIKELY. HE DID SAY EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT IN CASES LIKE THIS, A SUSPENSION WOULD BE TYPICAL. REGINA HILL WAS SILENT AFTER BONDING OUT OF JAIL ON FRAUD CHARGES. BUT NOW THE ORLANDO CITY COMMISSIONER WRITES, IT’S UNFORTUNATE THAT I’VE BEEN THRUST INTO THESE CIRCUMSTANCES WITH THESE ALLEGATIONS. UNFORTUNATE NOT JUST FOR ME, BUT FOR THE WOMAN I’VE LOVED AND CARED FOR, LIKE MY OWN FAMILY. MRS. HILL EFFECTIVELY BETRAYED THE TRUST OF HER COMMUNITY BY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A 96 YEAR OLD ELDERLY CITIZEN. AND STATE AGENTS PAINT A VERY DIFFERENT PICTURE, SAYING COMMISSIONER HILL MET A CONSTITUENT AND USED ILLEGAL MEANS TO GAIN FINANCIAL GAIN. MORE THAN 100 GRAND BY OBTAINING AND LATER USING THE VICTIM’S PERSONAL INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL FUNDS FOR HER OWN BENEFIT. COMMISSIONER HILL RESPONDING, 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. FROM ORLANDO CITY HALL, AN EMAIL SAYING IT’S AWARE OF THE ARREST AND THE CHARGES, BUT SAYING ANY DISCIPLINE OF SOMEONE ELECTED WOULD HAVE TO COME FROM THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE. THIS THIS IS A TARGET RICH ENVIRONMENT, THIS STATE FOR EXPLOITATION. BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LOT OF SENIORS AND YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF SENIORS THAT ARE RETIRED, AND THEY HAVE SOME INCOME. THE GOVERNOR WAS ASKED ABOUT THE HILL INVESTIGATION WHILE IN TOWN WEDNESDAY BEFORE THE INDICTMENT WAS ANNOUNCED. IF A MUNICIPAL OFFICIAL, ELECTED OFFICIALS INDICTED BY A GRAND JURY, THEN I WOULD SUSPEND. THAT’S TYPICAL HILL DEFENDING HER WORK AS AN ELECTED COMMISSIONER AFTER TEN YEARS OF SERVICE FOR THE CITY OF ORLANDO. I’VE ILLUSTRATED MY LOVE AND COMPASSION FOR MY CONSTITUENTS, MY CITY AND MY FAMILY. AND AGAIN, WE HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING OFFICIAL FROM THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE AT THIS POINT. BUT HERE AT CITY HALL, THEY SAY IF COMMISSIONER HILL IS IN FACT SUSPENDED, THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED BY CITY CHARTER TO CALL FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION TO ELECT A TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT. REPORTING LIVE AT ORLANDO CITY HALL, DAVE MCDANIEL WESH TWO NEWS. ALL RIGHT, DAVE, THANK YOU. AND WESH TWO WILL CONTINUE TO BRING YOU THE VERY LATEST ON HILL’S CHARGES AND THE IMPENDING COURT CASE FROM THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THE ORLANDO COMMISSIONER TO AN EXPERT OPINION ON THE
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Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill speaks out after being arrested, accused of elderly exploitation
Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill says she believes in the process as she looks to fight the criminal indictment against her. She was arrested for allegedly defrauding a 96-year-old constituent.Hill was silent after bonding out of jail on fraud charges, but now the Orlando city commissioner writes, "It's unfortunate that I have been thrust into these circumstances with these allegations. Unfortunate not just for me but for Mrs. (victim's name) whom I've loved and cared for like my own family."Lee Massie is with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement."Mrs. Hill effectively betrayed the trust of her community by taking advantage of a 96-year-old elderly citizen," Massie said. Related: Who is Regina Hill, the Orlando commissioner arrested for allegedly defrauding an older woman?State agents paint a very different picture, saying Hill met a constituent and used illegal means to gain financial gain — more than 100,000.John Vecchio is the special agent in charge."By obtaining and later using the victim's personal information and financial funds for her own benefit," Vecchio said. Hill responded in a statement, "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."Related: Regina Hill: Legal expert and District 5 residents weigh in on Orlando Commissioner's arrestAt Orlando City Hall, an email said it's aware of the arrest and the charges, but said any discipline of someone elected would have to come from the governor's office."This is a target-rich environment, this state, for exploitation because you have a lot of seniors and you have a lot of seniors who are retired and have some income," Gov. Ron DeSantis said. The governor was asked about the Hill investigation while in town Wednesday before the indictment was announced.Related: Orlando commissioner under investigation for allegedly taking advantage of 96-year-old constituent"If a municipal elected official is indicted by a grand jury, then I would suspend. That's typical," DeSantis said. Hill defended her work as an elected commissioner."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," Hill said in a statement. The governor has yet to announce any discipline.We’ve reached out and are waiting to hear back.Top headlines:Orange County sheriff: Deputy opened fire when suspect jumped out of rideshare vehicle with gun Brevard sheriff: Husband of missing woman found dead arrested for murder Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill arrested, accused of elderly exploitation

Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill says she believes in the process as she looks to fight the criminal indictment against her. She was arrested for allegedly defrauding a 96-year-old constituent.

Hill was silent after bonding out of jail on fraud charges, but now the Orlando city commissioner writes, "It's unfortunate that I have been thrust into these circumstances with these allegations. Unfortunate not just for me but for Mrs. (victim's name) whom I've loved and cared for like my own family."

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Lee Massie is with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

"Mrs. Hill effectively betrayed the trust of her community by taking advantage of a 96-year-old elderly citizen," Massie said.

Related: Who is Regina Hill, the Orlando commissioner arrested for allegedly defrauding an older woman?

State agents paint a very different picture, saying Hill met a constituent and used illegal means to gain financial gain — more than 100,000.

John Vecchio is the special agent in charge.

"By obtaining and later using the victim's personal information and financial funds for her own benefit," Vecchio said.

Hill responded in a statement, "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."

Related: Regina Hill: Legal expert and District 5 residents weigh in on Orlando Commissioner's arrest

At Orlando City Hall, an email said it's aware of the arrest and the charges, but said any discipline of someone elected would have to come from the governor's office.

"This is a target-rich environment, this state, for exploitation because you have a lot of seniors and you have a lot of seniors who are retired and have some income," Gov. Ron DeSantis said.

The governor was asked about the Hill investigation while in town Wednesday before the indictment was announced.

Related: Orlando commissioner under investigation for allegedly taking advantage of 96-year-old constituent

"If a municipal elected official is indicted by a grand jury, then I would suspend. That's typical," DeSantis said.

Hill defended her work as an elected commissioner.

"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," Hill said in a statement.

The governor has yet to announce any discipline.

We’ve reached out and are waiting to hear back.

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