Florida official charged with elder abuse after alleged $100,000 spending spree

Lina PortmanMay 30, 2024

0 3 minutes read

Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill was indicted Thursday by a grand jury on charges of elder abuse and fraud, according to court records filed in Orange County, Florida.

The commissioner was charged with three counts of first-degree elder abuse resulting in damages in excess of $50,000, two counts of personal identity fraud, one count of mortgage fraud more than $100,000 and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud. The alleged abuse occurred from April 2021 to March 2024.

“Ms. Hill has effectively betrayed the trust of her community by taking advantage of a 96-year-old citizen, who is one of the most vulnerable in this community,” Deputy Commissioner Lee Massie said at a press conference. Thursday announcing his arrest.

Hill is accused of financially exploiting Annie Mae Curtis, 96, a woman who lived in his district, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records. After fraudulently obtaining power of attorney over the woman, Hill allegedly stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the elderly woman's savings account to use for his personal gain.

Authorities say she used that money to purchase a home that cost more than $400,000, co-signing with Curtis even though the elderly woman was unaware of the sale. Hill then moved into a vacation home owned by Curtis and spent $15,400 of stolen money renovating it, while Curtis lived in squalor, according to an FDLE news release. Hill also purchased other personal luxuries like hotel stays, facelifts and dental surgeries with Curtis' money.

“Hill took advantage of one of the community's most vulnerable citizens, and one of its constituents, by obtaining and later using the victim's personal information and financial funds for his own benefit.” said Special Agent in Charge John Vecchio during the press conference. “Hill’s crimes cost the victim over $100,000. »

Vecchio told reporters that Hill became aware of Curtis through his position as commissioner, but refused to make statements alleging outright abuse of office.

“The charges laid today relate to her behavior as a citizen and not to her official capacity,” added Assistant Commissioner Massie. “Having access to a voter is part of the job of a municipal commissioner,” he said, clarifying that the investigation focused on the alleged crimes she had committed as a private citizen, and not as a elected.

The charges follow a yearlong investigation by the FDLE, which was alerted by a former aide who said they were fired for exposing Hill's alleged fraud, documents show. Curtis had no idea how much she had given in to Hill, Vecchio said at the news conference.

“On their face, Hill’s actions appeared well-intentioned as she coordinated the cleanup of the victim’s residence and other community resources,” FDLE said in a statement. “However, the investigation revealed that in just over a month, Hill was able to obtain power of attorney over the victim and exploit her financially for a period of approximately three years.”

Hill is also involved in a civil lawsuit with Adriane Alexander, a Tampa resident who obtained power of attorney against Curtis and removed Hill in February. Alexander accuses Hill of taking advantage of the woman's mental deficiencies, allegations Hill has denied in his own documents, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Hill said in court filings that Alexander did not know the woman; Alexander maintains that she is the daughter of Curtis's lifelong friend, a claim that Curtis's own documents support.

When asked if anyone else had been a victim of Curtis' fraud, Special Agent John Vecchio told reporters that the FDLE did not know of any other victims.

“We do not know of any other victims today,” he said, adding that while the investigation was ongoing, there was no evidence that Hill had abused any other people.

Vecchio added that the FDLE did not expect federal charges to be filed.

Hill has served as a District 5 and Orlando City Commissioner for 11 years. His work has largely focused on building more affordable housing in underserved communities, according to his city biography.