Governor DeSantis suspends Hialeah City Councilwoman Angelica Pacheco after fraud charges

MIAMI – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, suspended Hialeah City Councilwoman Angelica Pacheco after her arrest and indictment for fraud in federal court.

On Tuesday, DeSantis signed the suspension order after a grand jury indicted Pacheco on June 18, 2024.

Pacheco is charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, five counts of health care fraud and two counts of wire fraud.

Last week, Pacheco was arrested by FBI agents.

The 37-year-old nurse appeared in court for the first time last Thursday afternoon on charges of healthcare fraud.

Pacheco and her husband, Daniel, run a primary care clinic and substance abuse rehabilitation facility in Hialeah.

Pacheco appears to have hinted at the arrest in a cryptic video posted on social media Wednesday evening.

In it, she blamed the Hialeah government for any consequences that might threaten her.

Mayor Esteban Bovo responded to the news with the following statement:

“The federal charges brought against the councilwoman have no connection with her role as an elected official. This situation is not only disturbing, but also very sad for our community.”

Read the Governor’s order in full:

STATE OF FLORIDA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Executive Order No. 24-135

Executive Order 24-135 (Executive Order for Suspension)

WHEREAS, Angelica Pacheco is currently a member of the Hialeah, Florida City Council, representing Group IV.

WHEREAS, on June 18, 2024, Angelica Pacheco was indicted by a grand jury in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida on one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, a felony under 18 USC § 1349; five counts of health care fraud, a felony under 18 USC § 1347; and two counts of wire fraud, a felony under 18 USC § 1343; and

WHEREAS, Article IV, Section 7(c) of the Florida Constitution states: “By order of the Governor, any elected municipal officer charged with a crime may be suspended from office until acquitted. The office may be filled by appointment for the term of suspension, which term shall not exceed the term of office, unless such powers shall otherwise be delegated to him by law or municipal charter.” and

WHEREAS, Section 112.51(2) of the Florida Statutes provides that the Governor may suspend from office any elected municipal official who is charged with committing a federal crime; and

WHEREAS, It is in the best interest of the residents of the City of Hialeah and the citizens of the State of Florida that Angelica Pacheco be immediately suspended from her current public office for the reasons stated in this Executive Order.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, The Governor of Florida, pursuant to Article IV, Section 7(c) of the Florida Constitution and Section 112.51 of the Florida Statutes, declares as follows:

A. Angelica Pacheco is and has been at all relevant times a member of the Hialeah City Council representing Group IV.
B. The office of City Councilman of the City of Hialeah, Group IV, is subject to the suspension powers of the Governor pursuant to Article IV, Section 7(c) of the Florida Constitution and Section 112.51 of the Florida State Statutes.
C. The attached indictment, which is incorporated in its entirety into this Executive Order, charges Angelica Pacheco with committing federal crimes.

Comprehensive advice on the premises and in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida, this Executive Order is issued effective immediately:

Section 1. Angelica Pacheco is suspended from her current public office: Member of the Hialeah City Council, Group IV.

Section 2. Angelica Pacheco shall be prohibited from performing any official act, duty or function of any public office, from receiving any pay or allowance, or from being entitled to any emoluments or privileges of public office during the period of this suspension, which shall continue from today until the issuance of another Executive Order or as otherwise provided by law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereby affixed my signature and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed in Tallahassee this 25th day of June, 2024.