ORLANDO, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis says it is likely he will remove Commissioner Regina Hill from office following an arrest.
The governor made that comment when asked in Orlando on Wednesday, the day before FDLE announced Hill was taken into custody. He said news of her arrest would be the trigger for his office to act.
“That’s the normal course of things. When there is a felony indictment returned against a municipal elected official at that point,” said DeSantis.
Florida’s state constitution gives the governor the power to remove elected officials from office on several grounds, including malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, drunkenness, incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, or commission of a felony.
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News 6 asked the governor’s office Thursday how soon an executive order could be issued. A spokesperson responded that they would let the public know if and when Gov. Desantis takes action.
A spokesperson for the City of Orlando also responded to our inquiries regarding Hill’s arrest with the following statement:
“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.”
City of Orlando
A suspension would leave Hill’s seat open in District 5. In that case, a special election would be needed to temporarily fill it. The city’s charter gives them 45 days to coordinate with the Supervisor of Elections.
Mayor Buddy Dyer had little to say when he was asked about the allegations against Hill earlier this week.
“We don’t have any stance. We know there’s been a grand jury that’s been convened,” said Dyer. “The information that we have is basically what’s been in the news.”
Hill’s fellow commissioners either did not respond to our request for comment or directed us to the mayor’s statements.
Hill’s biography on the city’s website states she grew up in Parramore, which is part of the district she was elected to represent. Her bio also lists various accolades including work on Parramore Village, the Church Street Renewal, and soccer stadium.
News 6 spent time Thursday speaking to people Hill was elected to represent.
Jerrod Blackshear said he was deeply saddened to hear the news.
“Whether innocent or guilty, I believe Commissioner Hill has done a lot for the city of Orlando, District 5, and Orlando as a whole,” said Blackshear. “She has overcome so much hurt and overcome so much in her life, the death of her daughter, drug addiction, and to see her reach a certain level of status and success and end up in jail, my heart just goes out to her.”
While Blackshear believes Hill deserves support even if he does not support her actions, others in Orlando say elected officials need to be held accountable.
David Stone said he would like to see other city officials take a stronger stance.
“I’m caring for someone elderly in my family right now,” said Stone. “They are just open to being exploited, and for someone who is trusted to be in that position to exploit is quite disturbing.”
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