Children of former Hialeah councilwoman seek money for their mother’s legal defense

MIAMI.- The children of the former Hialeah councilwoman, suspended by Governor Ron DeSantis after being charged with eight counts of health care fraud, created a fundraiser to cover the legal costs of their mother.

The petition for financial help was created on the GoFundMe platform with the aim of raising $100,000 to pay the defense attorneys that her mother will need in the case against her.

“Today we are writing to you with great concern and we are begging for your help. Our mother, Angélica Pacheco, is being wrongly accused of committing fraud against the health system, which is completely false and we suspect that powerful political influences may be behind this,” her children plead.

“Our mother, Angelica Pacheco, triumphed by winning a seat on the Hialeah City Council in November 2023 without owing any political favors. She made a commitment to the people. She has been a passionate advocate for the interests of citizens, wanting to expose things that many care about and fighting for greater transparency in local government.”

“We are five siblings and our youngest brother is eight years old. Our grandmother is very affected and my uncle is a young disabled man. We are a working family and my mother is the breadwinner for all of us. We have been shocked by the accusations against her and the high cost of legal defense in these types of cases. That is why we need help.”

“We remain steadfast that our mother is innocent and have faith in the legal process that will prove her innocence and that she will be exonerated. We humbly ask that you support us by making a donation towards her legal defense.”

“My brothers and I greatly appreciate your cooperation and prayers,” his children said in the request.

Pacheco was indicted by a grand jury on eight counts: six for health care fraud and two for wire fraud against the health care system.

The indictment accuses Pacheco, a registered nurse, of filing false health insurance claims, offering kickbacks, and improperly prescribing and administering medications, including controlled substances. She is also accused of falsely claiming $15.4 million from health insurance plans.

The GoFundMe for Pacheco was created on June 27 and has so far raised about $505.

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