ORLANDO, Fla. – An Orlando city commissioner is facing allegations and a state investigation into whether she exploited an elderly woman and took more than $100,000 from her.
Court documents uncovered by News 6 show that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating whether Commissioner Regina Hill established a power of attorney over a 96-year-old woman and secured a mortgage for a home in the Lake Mann Estates area of Orlando, without the woman’s knowledge.
Investigators believe Hill’s son and his girlfriend live in the home, while Hill resides in a home in the Washington Shores neighborhood that once belonged to the elderly woman’s parents — and was not paying rent.
According to the documents, Hill also allegedly used more than $100,000 of the woman’s cash and credit cards to buy perfume, clothing, IV vitamins, a facelift, a trip to Miami, dental surgery and car insurance.
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The FDLE documents show the agency received a tip last year from a former aide of Hill’s who had been fired from their job. An FDLE spokesperson says they are still investigating the claims and will not comment on the case.
Hill has not been charged or arrested.
The documents were part of a petition filed by the woman’s attorneys to keep Hill away from the woman’s finances and properties.
A judge issued a temporary injunction last week.
Hill told News 6 she had no comment and referred us to her attorney.
A spokeswoman for the City of Orlando said they were just learning about the investigation.
“The City has been made aware of the injunction issued involving Commissioner Hill,” said spokeswoman Ashley Papagni. “We are not a part of the injunction and do not have any details on the allegations related to it.”
Community Legal Services says it also worked to revoke Hill’s power of attorney and set the woman up with a new one.
News 6 asked CLS to provide a statement and the agency declined, however it did provide an elder abuse hotline to call if you know someone who is being exploited. The number is 1-800-962-2873.
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