‘Oh, It’s Kinda Close.’ 

You could barely hear Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Special Agent Stephen Brenton say those words on the audio during the interrogation of Ms. Curtis—the 96-year-old woman who is at the center of the FDLE case against Commissioner Regina Hill. Brenton pulled out the an agreement that Ms. Curtis signed with Hill. Brenton alleges the power of attorney agreement was forged by Hill and not signed by Ms. Curtis. Brenton then compared Ms. Curtis’ handwriting on the signed power of attorney document to the signature she wrote sitting in front of him. Brenton said, “Can you do me a really big favor? See that piece of paper? Here’s a pen. Would you sign your name for me?”

Curtis: “I’m so nervous now.”

Brenton: “That’s ok.”

Brenton: “Sign it the way you would sign anything.” Ms. Curtis says she doesn’t have her glasses.

Brenton: “See if Ms. Alexander’s glasses will help you just a little bit more.”

Brenton: “Guess what. If something were to happen to Ms. Regina Hill, you’re going to have to start paying that mortgage. ‘Cause it’s your house.” Someone in the background chuckles. While comparing Ms. Curtis’ signature on the power of attorney form and the signature she wrote in front of Brenton, the shuffling of papers can be heard. Brenton then says, “Oh, it’s kinda close.”

Taken From Her Home and Interrogated Without An Attorney

Ms. Curtis was interrogated without an attorney. In the room sat Adriane Alexander, the daughter of her dear friend, Mary Alice. After Hill’s role as power of attorney for Ms. Curtis was revoked, Alexander became the power of attorney. At the start of the interview, Ms. Curtis said she did not know Alexander. Agent Carlos Castillo from the Office of the Inspector General with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) began to interrogate Ms. Curtis. Castillo showed Ms. Curtis a picture of the house he says Ms. Curtis and Hill bought together. Ms. Curtis said she doesn’t recognize the house and then asked, “Where did you all pick me up from?” 

Castillo tells Ms. Curtis he is not trying to overwhelm her. “I don’t want you to feel, like, nervous because you are very compromised with this loan.” Ms. Curtis said, “That’s what I don’t understand.” Castillo added, “You are on the hook. You have a liability with this house first of all. You never moved into the house because you have your own house but you told the mortgage company, actually you told HUD, that you were going to live in the house for 12 months because that was the conditions of the loan.” Castillo begins to convince Ms. Curtis that she was unaware of signing the document naming Hill her power of attorney. He tells Ms. Curtis that she doesn’t remember signing the power of attorney form. Referring to Hill, Castillo said, “I don’t know why she would do that but she used you to qualify for the loan.” Ms. Curtis tells Castillo that she and Hill are family. 

Ms. Curtis tells Brenton that she keeps all of her important papers in an office in her house. She mentions she has a desk in her office. Brenton asks, “Do you think that I could see those?” Ms. Curtis said, “Why couldn’t you if I show them to you.” When asked if she needed a break, Ms. Curtis exclaimed, “I want to get this over with so that I can go home to my cats!” Brenton continued to interrogate her.

Brenton: “If your intention the whole time was, for after you pass away, that all of your property goes to Talladega College, I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that those are your wishes. If that’s what you want me to do. Is that what you want me to do? Or, are you ok with Regina Hill getting everything. That’s your choice. I want to follow your wishes.” 

(Long Pause)

Ms. Curtis: “I am very…to tell you the truth I am confused about the whole thing.”

Toward the end of the audio Brenton tells Ms. Curtis that her property will be split three ways according to her will. Talladega College, Mt. Olive AME Church in Orlando and Hill.  But, for days last year a dumpster sat outside of Ms. Curtis’ house after she was put into a nursing home while under the care of Alexander. The Florida Sun witnessed men throwing away Ms. Curtis’ belongings. According to tax collector documents, Curtis’ house has now been sold below market value to the company owner who was seen cleaning out Curtis’ home. We are still digging to find out if Ms. Curtis had a will prior to the interrogation.

This is part 2 of a 3 part series

Read Shocking Audio Emerges: 96-Year-Old Interrogated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in the Case Against Commissioner Regina Hill