ORLANDO, Fla. — A judge on Friday granted a permanent injunction against suspended Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill that prevents her from regaining control of the financial affairs of a 96-year-old woman she has been accused of exploiting.

The decision came after hours of testimony in Orange County civil court that had both morning and afternoon sessions.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday suspended Hill from her position as District 5 commissioner after she was charged on March 28 with elderly exploitation and fraud.

Attorneys had previously filed a request for an injunction removing Hill's power of attorney over the 96-year-old woman's financial affairs, and a temporary injunction was granted. The judge said the criminal charges Hill faces played a role in her decision to put the permanent injunction in place.

Before she was arrested, Hill had challenged the injunction, and has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. 

Hill took the stand briefly at the beginning of Friday's morning session, but right away, she pleaded the Fifth, exercising her right to not answer any questions because of the criminal charges she faces.  

Hill is accused of manipulating a 96-year-old woman in her district and using $100,000 of that woman’s money for Hill's own expenses.

“I love her, showed her a lot of love and attention, and that’s all I can say,” Hill said of the 96-year-old woman after the injunction was granted.

In testimony Friday in the civil case, a woman who grew up across the street from the 96-year-old woman said the alleged victim was living in poor conditions before Hill was granted power of attorney. She said Hill got work done to improve the alleged victim's home.

New details about the criminal case also were revealed during the civil hearing.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement special agent Steven Brenton testified that he began looking into potential criminal activity in February 2023 after a former aide to Hill in her City Commission office reported the allegations.

Hill’s attorney asked the agent why he didn’t detail money that Hill put into the woman’s account as part of his investigation.

“I would say putting $500 into someone’s account from somebody who’s spent over $200,000 isn’t much of a recourse,” Brenton said.