Florida official arrested for defrauding a 96-year-old woman of more than $100,000 in savings and expenses Money spent on personal expenses, including plastic surgery, hotel stays, car rentals and expensive perfume purchased from high-end retailers. Authorities said the defendants fraudulently used the woman’s power of attorney to purchase a home in her name.

The defendant, Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill, was arrested Thursday.She faces a total of seven charges, including three counts of elder exploitation, mortgage fraud, and conspiracy to defraud; and two counts of fraud in Florida. WESH (Channel 2) TV station reports.

The 59-year-old, first elected in 2013, pleaded not guilty and was held on $40,000 bail. If convicted on all counts, she could face 180 years in prison.

Hill, a Democrat, is also accused of owing more than $10,000 in the elderly woman’s name.

according to orlando sentinelThe matter came to light earlier this month when a judge issued an injunction barring Hill from accessing the elderly woman’s bank account and home controlled by the defendants, the newspaper reported.

She first met the woman in 2021.

According to authorities, Hill took advantage of the woman because she suffered from cognitive impairment, age-related health issues and a mental condition that made her Already an issue in civil cases.

FJohn Vecchio, special agent in charge for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, told reporters that “Hill learned that the woman was living in poor conditions and that the two had a connection.”

She “knew the resident through her position as city commissioner and was therefore able to provide what appeared to be welfare services,” but used her influence over the elderly woman to “fraudulently obtain a power of attorney,” WESH 2 Quotes So said Vecchio.

According to law enforcement officials, the defendants “repeatedly used the victim’s funds to purchase rental cars, hotel stays, and personal luxury goods (such as expensive perfume) from high-end retailers.”

However, Hill called the incident “unfortunate” in a statement to the station and said she “loved” the elderly woman “like my own family.”

“After 10 years of serving the City of Orlando, I express my love and compassion for my constituents, my city, and my family. I know the truth, I know I am entitled to due process that I believe in, and I will wait for the day when I can be proven innocent in court,” she added.

A hearing is scheduled for April 5.

Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis hinted that he would suspend Hill if she was indicted.

“It’s a target-rich environment, this state, that lends itself to exploitation because you have a lot of seniors, and you have a lot of retired seniors with some income… If a municipal elected official is sued by a justice Jury, and then I’ll pause. That’s typical,” Xixi 2 The governor was quoted as saying.