Family starts legal defense fundraiser for suspended Hialeah councilwoman charged by FBI

Verónica Egui Brito
·3 min read

One of the daughters of suspended Hialeah Councilwoman Angelica Pacheco, who was charged with healthcare fraud after an FBI investigation, has created a GoFundMe page to raise money to hire a defense attorney.

Pacheco, a 37-year-old registered nurse, surrendered to the FBI on June 20 after being indicted on the healthcare fraud charges. She is accused of falsely billing private insurers millions of dollars for medically unnecessary services at her addiction treatment center, Florida Life Recovery and Rehabilitation LLC. On June 25, Gov. Ron DeSantis removed her from office, prohibiting her “from performing any official act, duty, or function of public office.”

READ MORE: Hialeah councilwoman charged with multimillion-dollar healthcare fraud at rehab clinic

Angela Caballero, Pacheco’s 21-year-old daughter, is asking for $100,000 for cover the expenses of her mother’s legal defense.

“Our mother, Angelica Pacheco, is being wrongfully accused of committing healthcare fraud, something that is completely false and we suspect that powerful, political influences could be behind this,” she wrote on the GoFundMe page.

Caballero stated on her fundraiser page that Pacheco financially supports her five children, along with her mother and a disabled brother.

Pacheco told el Nuevo Herald that although she had previously stated she didn’t need a “fancy attorney” to represent her and prove her innocence, her daughter insists on securing the best possible defense. “Many have told me a public defender is overwhelmed with cases,” she said.

She added that she feels ashamed asking for money. “I’ve always wanted to be the one who helps others, not the one who asks for help.”

While the FBI investigation continues, the city of Hialeah is moving forward to appoint someone to fill her vacant seat, which will likely occur at a special meeting scheduled for July 16.

READ MORE: Ex-doctor at Hialeah councilwoman’s clinic was convicted of similar healthcare fraud

One of Angelica Pacheco’s daughters created a GoFundMe page to raise money for her mother’s legal defense. Angela Caballero, Pacheco’s second daughter, is seeking $100,000 to cover the legal fees.
One of Angelica Pacheco’s daughters created a GoFundMe page to raise money for her mother’s legal defense. Angela Caballero, Pacheco’s second daughter, is seeking $100,000 to cover the legal fees.

One of the candidates vying to replace Pacheco helped her daughter create the GoFundMe campaign. Juan Santana is a former three-time mayoral candidate and former candidate for an interim council seat in 2022.

“Her daughter, whom I’ve known since she was 13 or 14 years old, asked me for help,” Santana said. “I guided her to create a GoFundMe page to show support and find a lawyer.”

Santana stated that he doesn’t trust federal public defenders. In addition to helping her set up the fundraiser, he donated $20 to the campaign. He emphasized that Pacheco was a voice that represented the community, saying, “She wanted to drain the swamp in Hialeah.”

Milly Herrera, a local activist and former candidate for the council in 2019 and 2021, also contributed $150 to Pacheco’s GoFundMe. She expressed admiration for Pacheco, describing her as a voice for the people in Hialeah.

“It’s obvious they wanted her out of the council. Whether she’s innocent or guilty, I don’t know, but there are very strange things happening. I’m giving her the benefit of the doubt,” Herrera said.

Seven days after the GoFundMe was opened, Pacheco’s family has raised $505 of the $100,000 goal. Her daughter maintains that Pacheco is innocent, stating, “We have faith in the legal process that will prove she is innocent and exonerate her.”