ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill was arrested Thursday on multiple charges, including exploitation of the elderly/disabled, impersonation, scheme to defraud, and mortgage fraud.
The 58-year-old is accused of exploiting a 96-year-old woman, reportedly taking over $100,000 from her, according to an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
Hill faces seven charges and was booked into jail. During her initial appearance, a judge noted that her $40,000 bond had already been posted, and she is prohibited from contacting the victim or any witnesses. Hill left jail Thursday afternoon.
“Mrs. Hill has betrayed the trust of her community by preying on a 96-year-old citizen, one of the most vulnerable members of society,” said FDLE Assistant Commissioner Lee Massie. “The victim, who is the last of her family in the area, was manipulated and lied to, with her finances and personal information misused for Hill’s gain. This situation is profoundly tragic.”
Court documents obtained by News 6 indicate that the FDLE is investigating whether Hill established a power of attorney over the woman and secured a mortgage on a property in Lake Mann Estates without her knowledge.
Investigators believe that Hill’s son and his girlfriend reside in the home, while Hill herself lives in a house in the Washington Shores neighborhood, which was once owned by the elderly woman’s parents, without paying rent.
The documents further allege that Hill misused over $100,000 from the woman’s cash and credit cards for personal expenses, including perfume, clothing, IV vitamins, a facelift, a trip to Miami, dental surgery, and car insurance.
“What we know from our interviews is that the victim was unaware of how much she had signed over to Commissioner Hill,” stated FDLE Orlando Special Agent John Vecchio.
The investigation began after a tip was received last year from a former aide of Hill, who had been terminated. The case remains active as authorities await further instructions from the state attorney’s office.
Additionally, a judge issued a temporary injunction last week to protect the woman’s finances and properties from Hill.
FDLE confirmed there is no evidence at this time of any other victims involved.
Vecchio emphasized that while evidence shows Hill met the victim through her role as city commissioner, none of the charges relate to her official duties. “The charges stem from her actions as a private citizen,” he explained. “We need to focus on these crimes.”
The city of Orlando acknowledged Hill’s arrest. Hill has been re-elected twice and is currently in her third term, which will conclude in 2026. Regarding her future in office, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s office stated, “We do not have the authority to discipline an elected official, including suspending them from office, as that power rests with the governor.” Should Florida Governor Ron DeSantis choose to suspend Hill, the city would coordinate with the Supervisor of Elections to hold a special election for District 5.
Before her election in 2014, Hill had a history of legal troubles, including a 2005 marijuana possession charge that led to probation and a 2000 conviction for disorderly intoxication. She faced multiple arrests in Orange County for possession of illegal substances, many of which were dismissed.
Legal expert Raymond Traendly, a partner at TK Law, discussed the implications of such cases: “When you sign a power of attorney, you’re allowing someone to act on your behalf. That person has a fiduciary obligation to prioritize the needs of the individual they’re protecting. If they misuse those funds for personal gain, they are violating that duty.”
Traendly noted that Hill may have several legal defenses available. “Her best strategy could be to establish a paper trail demonstrating she properly communicated with the victim and had permission to use those funds for personal purposes,” he said.