Hialeah Councilwoman Suspended by Gov. DeSantis Over Health Care Fraud Charges
Hialeah Councilwoman Angelica Pacheco has been suspended by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis following her arrest on charges of health care fraud.
The 37-year-old councilwoman was suspended on Tuesday through an executive order after surrendering to the FBI. Pacheco faces a grand jury indictment for one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, five counts of health care fraud, and two counts of wire fraud.
Expressing her frustration with the decision, Pacheco criticized Gov. DeSantis, stating, “I am deeply disappointed in Gov. Ron DeSantis for playing Mayor Bovo’s card and undermining democracy in Hialeah.”
Mayor Esteban Bovo responded to the suspension, saying, “This decision comes as a result of Mrs. Pacheco’s grand jury indictment for defrauding the United States of millions of dollars announced last week. I reiterate my disappointment in Mrs. Pacheco’s actions and hope to put this dark chapter for the city behind us.”
Pacheco was elected to the Hialeah City Council last November. She is accused of falsely billing private insurers for millions of dollars through her now-closed addiction treatment center, Florida Life Recovery and Rehabilitation. The indictment claims the business submitted over $19 million in fraudulent insurance claims over a three-year span.
In a statement, Pacheco proclaimed her innocence and accused Mayor Bovo of being behind the allegations. According to her office, “Although these accusations do not originate in the city of Hialeah, the councilwoman points out that the mayor is behind this due to her extensive network of contacts.” Pacheco claims that she was warned months ago about the mayor’s alleged plan to remove her from office.
