Orlando, FL., city commissioner, Regina Hill, is facing decades upon decades in prison for an alleged scheme to exploit and defraud an elderly 96-year-old woman.
On Thursday, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested Hill, 58, on multiple felony charges, including — three counts of exploitation of an elderly person, one count of scheme to defraud over $50,000, two counts related to fraudulent use of personal identification information, and one count of mortgage fraud.
According to the FDLE, the department began investigating Hill after the Office of the Attorney General forwarded them a complaint that she was taking advantage of a “96-year-old elderly citizen.”
Hill allegedly came into contact with the woman through her work as a city commissioner because the woman was allegedly living in “deplorable conditions.” Hill organized a clean-up effort of her home and provided her with other city resources.
But law enforcement alleges that Hill’s good deeds hid a darker reality. According to the FDLE, within a month of meeting each other, Hill gained power of attorney over the older woman and financially exploited her for roughly three years.
They allege that she used her power of attorney to purchase an over $400,000 home with the 96-year-old as her unwitting co-signor. She also allegedly “took residence” in the alleged victim’s second home and used her money to do a $15,400 renovation without the elderly woman’s knowledge.
Law enforcement also alleges that she obtained access to the elderly victim’s personal checking, savings, and credit card accounts — spending over $100,000 of the money on her own expenses.
On Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suspended Hill from her position as city commissioner. She is currently being held on bond. If she is convicted, she faces up to 180 years in prison.