Earlier this month, inspectors with FDLE’s Election Crime Unit arrested Carlos Irizarry Sr., of Buena Ventura Lakes, on eight counts of willful certification of false or incomplete campaign treasures reports and six counts of deliberate failure to report campaign expenditures as required.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement began the investigation last year after receiving an allegation that Irizarry was paid to enter the 2022 District Four Osceola County Commissioner’s race to affect its outcome. After comparing bank records to Irizarry’s campaign treasures reports, inspectors identified a pattern of providing false information.
In eight reports, Irizarry reported false campaign expenditures and lied about charitable donations made by the campaign, according to law enforcement. After the filing fee, Irizarry spent the remaining funds on personal items like day spas and restaurants.
Another candidate in that race, Jackie Espinosa, had filed a lawsuit alleging Irizarry was paid to run as a way to split the Hispanic vote, but the case was dismissed and the incumbent, Cheryl Greib, was re-elected.
Irizarry was arrested on May 5, 2023 and booked into the Osceola County Jail. Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will prosecute this Central Florida election case. The investigation is ongoing.
