An official within the US state of Florida has been arrested for defrauding a 96-year-old girl of her savings price greater than USD100,000 and spending the cash on private bills, together with a facelift, resort stays, rental vehicles, and costly perfumes from high-end retailers. Authorities stated the accused fraudulently used the woman’s energy of legal professional to purchase a home within the latter’s title.

The accused, Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill, was arrested on Thursday. She faces a complete of seven, together with three counts of exploitation of the elderly, mortgage fraud, scheme to defraud; and two counts of fraud, the Florida-based native WESH (channel 2) TV station reported.

The 59-year-old who was first elected in 2013, has pleaded not responsible and posted USD40,000 bond following her arrest. She may face 180 years in jail if convicted on all counts.

Hill, a Democrat, can be accused of racking up over USD10,000 in debt beneath the elderly girl’s title.

According to the Orlando Sentinel newspaper, the matter got here to mild earlier this month after a decide issued an injunction which barred Hill from accessing the elderly girl’s financial institution accounts and houses, which the accused took management of.

She first met the girl in 2021.

According to authorities, Hill took benefit of the girl as she suffers from cognitive disabilities, age-related well being points, in addition to her psychological situation, which is already a problem within the civil case.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent in Charge John Vecchio informed reporters that “Hill learnt of the woman living in poor conditions and the two were connected”.

She “became aware of this resident through her position as a city commissioner, and because of that, was able to lend what appeared to be benefit services” however used her affect over the elderly girl to “fraudulently obtain a power of attorney”, WESH 2 quoted Vecchio as saying.

According to legislation enforcement officers, the accused “repeatedly used the victim’s finances to purchase rental cars, hotel stays, personal luxury items like expensive perfume from high-end retailers”.

However, Hill, in a press release to the tv station, known as the matter “unfortunate” and stated she “loved and cared” for the elderly girl “like my own family”.

“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,” she added.

A listening to has been scheduled for April 5.

Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has hinted that he would droop Hill if she was indicted.

“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… If a municipal elected official is indicted by a grand jury, then I would suspend. That’s typical,” WESH 2 quoted the governor as saying.