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HIALEAH, Fla. (WFLA) – Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order suspending a Hialeah City Councilwoman on Tuesday.
The governor’s office announced that Councilwoman Angelica Pacheco would be suspended after a federal grand jury indicted her on charges of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud.
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Under state law, Florida’s governor can suspend any official accused of a federal crime.
“It is in the best interest of the residents of the city of Hialeah and the citizens of the state of Florida that Angélica Pacheco be immediately suspended from the public office she now holds,” DeSantis’ executive order said.
Under this suspension, the council member would be prohibited from performing any official duties as a council member, receiving any remuneration for her position, and would be deprived of any privileges of her public office. The order will last until DeSantis issues another order or as otherwise dictated by law.
KeynoteUSA affiliate WTVJ reported that Pacheco, who was elected in November, was accused of billing insurance companies for more than $19 million in claims for services at Florida Life Recovery and Rehabilitation, Pacheco’s former treatment center.
The indictment alleges the center, which is no longer in operation, filed the claims over a three-year period.
In response to the accusation, the councilwoman denied everything in a statement in Spanish, saying that while the accusations originated in Hialeah, she claimed that the mayor was behind the investigation due to “his extensive network of contacts.”
Hialeah Mayor Esteban Bovo Jr. issued a statement of his own, saying the federal charges were not related to his work as a councilman, but it is still an unfortunate development.
“This decision comes as a result of the grand jury indictment of Ms. Pacheco for defrauding the United States of millions of dollars announced last week,” Bovo said in a statement after DeSantis’ order. “I reiterate my disappointment in Ms. Pacheco’s actions and hope to put this dark chapter behind us for the City.
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