ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill pleaded not guilty Thursday in her first appearance before a judge after being indicted by a grand jury in connection with an elderly exploitation and fraud investigation.

Hill, who represents District 5, was booked into the Orange County Jail on seven charges:

• Three counts of exploitation of an elderly person
• One county of enacting a scheme to defraud someone of more than $50,000
• One count of fraudulently using someone's personal identifying information to make a purchase of more than $100,000 in services
• One count of fraudulently using personal identification information of a parent/guardian/custodian
• One count of mortgage fraud

She was released on a $40,000 bond. 

Hill, 63, is accused of manipulating a 96-year-old woman to gain power of attorney and using more than $100,000 of the woman's own money for Hill's benefit.

Hill has denied the allegations.

In a statement regarding the charges, Hill said:

"It’s unfortunate that I have been thrust into these circumstances with these allegations. Unfortunate not just for me, but for (the 96-year-old woman) whom I've loved and cared for like my own family. I understand that there is a process to go through with these allegations; however, I trust God above all. 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, and I consider (the 96-year-old woman) 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."

The investigation, which remains active, has been underway since February 2023, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials at a Thursday news conference.

They said it was initiated after the Florida Attorney General's Office contacted FDLE following a criminal complaint filed about a 96-year-old woman living alone in a home in disrepair.

FDLE special agent John Vecchio said Hill learned about the alleged victim because of her role as a city commissioner and initially provided some benefit services to her in that role. However, the alleged actions that prompted the charges against Hill were made as an individual citizen, Vecchio said.

FDLE investigators found that Hill allegedly used her influence over the victim to fraudulently obtain the power of attorney and access to the woman's personal information and finances to purchase a home in the 96-year-old's name, Vecchio said.

Hill is also accused of repeatedly using the alleged victim's finances to pay for rental cars, hotel stays, personal luxury items, clothing, purchase expensive perfume, getting a face lift and to personal bills, Vecchio said. The investigation found that Hill allegedly moved into a vacant home that the victim inherited from her family, and used the woman's personal finances to pay for renovations on that home, while the home where the 96-year-old lived remained in a state of disrepair, Vecchio said.

The 96-year-old woman was not aware of how much she had signed over to Hill, Vecchio said.

Investigators interviewed multiple people and conducted a review of several years of financial records and other documents to put together the case, Vecchio said.

A petition for temporary civil injunction filed previously by attorneys seeking protection for the 96-year-old woman alleges Hill held power of attorney over the Parramore resident.

The document alleges Hill fraudulently used the woman’s identity to purchase a home on Domino Drive in the Lake Mann community. A search of the Orange County appraiser website shows Hill listed as co-owner of the home with the 96-year-old woman.

Hill's attorneys previously had said the woman's vulnerable state and impairments left her in no state to change her power of attorney. 

A statement released by a spokesperson for Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer's office said: "We have been made aware that Commissioner Hill has been arrested and charged by FDLE. ... We do not have any authority to discipline an elected official, including suspending them from office, as that power lies with the Governor."

If Gov. Ron DeSantis suspends Hill, the city of Orlando's charter calls for a special election to temporarily fill the commission seat.

Criminal defense attorney Jonathan Rose gave some insight as to how the trial might play out.

"One way is to firmly present the defense that my client had the ability to do this based on the consent of the alleged victim. The other way is to simply assert that the attorney's office cannot approve that Ms. Hill did not have that," he said.

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