Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-63, suspending Regina Hill as Orlando City Commissioner in accordance with the Florida Constitution and sections 112.51(1) and 112.51(2), Florida Statutes.
Prior to Regina Hill’s recent arrest and indictment, West Orlando News called on the Orlando Commissioner to resign immediately, and if she did not, WON called on Governor DeSantis to remove her from office.
On March 27th, Regina Hill was indicted in the Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit in and for Orange County on three counts of Exploitation of Elderly Person or Disabled Person Greater than $50,000, one count of Scheme to Defraud of $50,000 or More, one count of Fraudulent Use of Personal Identification Over $100,000, and one count of Mortgage Fraud Greater than $100,000.
Because of that, the Republican Florida Governor finally acted. Regina Hill, a Democrat, was spotted at an Orlando City Commission work session, as Mayor Buddy Dyer and other City Commissioners remain quiet about the scandal-plagued Hill.
Article IV, section 7(c) of the Florida Constitution states: “[b]y order of the governor any elected municipal officer indicted for crime may be suspended from office until acquitted and the office filled by appointment for the period of suspension, not to extend beyond the term, unless these powers are vested elsewhere by law or the municipal charter.”
Section 112.51(1), Florida Statutes, provides that the Governor may suspend from office any elected municipal officer for malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, habitual drunkenness, incompetence, or permanent inability to perform official duties.
Section 112.51(2), Florida Statutes, provides that the Governor may suspend from office any elected municipal officer who is indicted or informed against for the commission of a state felony or misdemeanor.
The City of Orlando will now call a special election to fill the District 5 City Commissioner seat.
Here is a copy of Governor Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order 24-63 suspending Regina Hill as Orlando City Commissioner:
ReginaHill_EOsuspensionDeSantis
“malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, habitual drunkenness, incompetence” That sounds like some of the Orlando City officials.
Maybe they thought those were the job scope and requirement not grounds to be dismissed,
Maybe other corruption will come to light finally.