No Lawyer, No Mercy: Audio Uncovered of FDLE Special Agent Interrogating 96-Year-Old Black Woman with Dementia
Part 3 of a 3 part series
The Florida Sun uncovered audio of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) interrogation of Annie Mae Curtis, the then 96-year-old Black woman who is at the center of an investigation involving former Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill. Charges against Hill include mortgage fraud and exploitation of the elderly.
In an almost 2 hour recorded interrogation, Ms. Curtis – who friends say have been diagnosed with dementia — answered questions posed by FDLE agents and a representative from the Housing of Urban Development (HUD) without an attorney present. “Right now if you ask me how old I am, I don’t know how old I am.” That was the answer Ms. Curtis gave Special Agent Brenton time and time again as he fired questions at her about topics including her will, her property and her relationship with Hill.
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, dementia patients often have a condition called “Selective Memory.” The Alzheimer’s Society states, patients often are able to remember childhood memories or details about their family history, but struggle to recall what they had for breakfast this morning or who they spoke to yesterday. According to the interrogation audio, Ms. Curtis vividly remembered where she went to school, her parents, the name of her current bank, Hill’s position and title and her wishes for her property and other belongings after she is deceased.
Ms. Curtis, Civil Rights, and a Controversial Interrogation: A Closer Look at Special Agent Brenton
Friends of Ms. Curtis say she was proud to be active in the Civil Rights Movement. When schools integrated, Ms. Curtis was moved from Jones High School—a historically Black school—to Dover Shores, a school, she says, was in a predominantly white neighborhood at that time. She later went on to attend Talladega College, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
A Fragmented Memory
During an interview, Special Agent Brenton asked Ms. Curtis about her time at Talladega College:
Brenton: “What did you, um, study at Talladega?”
Ms. Curtis: “Languages, I think.”
Brenton: “And when you came back, you were a…?”
Ms. Curtis: “Teacher.”
Brenton: “A school teacher, yes? Where did you teach?”
Ms. Curtis: “(Long pause) Um. (Long pause) Oh, Mr. Johnson was the principal. I’m so confused now.”
Brenton: “I understand.”
Brenton then abruptly shifted the questioning:
Brenton: “Tell me more about Regina Hill and what she does for you.”
Ms. Curtis: “Regina? She’s the commissioner.”
Brenton: “She is. What does she do for you though?”
Ms. Curtis: “She comes around, and sometimes she eats with me. Sometimes she and I go out, get some food, and come back to fix it up in the kitchen.”
Ms. Curtis said she doesn’t remember how she met Hill but insists that Hill is family.
When Brenton asked how long she had been a teacher, Ms. Curtis replied, “I hope I still am.” As the conversation continued, she became increasingly disoriented.
Brenton: “So, but you’re not currently teaching—teaching anywhere—that you’re aware of?”
Ms. Curtis: “I’m trying to… I’m so confused right now. If you ask me my name, I’d have to think about… what my name is…”
Brenton interrupted: “You’re definitely remembering some memories now about being in Europe…”
Brenton’s Social Media Presence Raises Questions
Before Brenton’s social media accounts were made private, his posts revealed a history of controversial content.
On October 13, 2021, he shared a “Let’s Go Brandon” image designed with the colors of the American flag. According to Wikipedia, the phrase is a euphemism for “F* Joe Biden.”**
Brenton also made comments about March for Our Lives, a youth-led organization started by students who survived the Valentine’s Day mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In one post, Brenton wrote:
“Abortions killed 664,000 children… guns killed 1,600. So, kids, instead of marching for a political agenda, how about staying in school and learning some true facts?”
On LinkedIn, Brenton posted, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Special Agent Supervisor at FDLE!” The timing of the post suggests that he was promoted after interrogating Ms. Curtis and following the arrest of Hill.
Additionally, Brenton shared news clippings of Hill and posted a meme referencing the film Blazing Saddles. The meme depicted a character named Mongo, an illiterate outlaw. According to Dictionary.com, “Mongo” has various meanings, one of which is a slur used to describe individuals with Down syndrome who were referred to as a degrading word, “mongoloids.”
A Timely Takeover: Adriane Alexander Named Power of Attorney on the Same Day as Ms. Curtis’ Interrogation
According to testimony in the civil hearing, Hill began her role as the power of attorney for Ms. Curtis in 2021. Regardless of Ms. Curtis obvious memory struggles, being interrogated by law enforcement for almost two hours and expressing her desire to leave, Adriane Alexander — daughter of Ms. Curtis’ dear friend Mary Alice Martin — took over Hill’s roll as power of attorney and became power of attorney for Ms. Curtis on March 7th, 2024 — the exact day Ms. Curtis was interrogated by FDLE agents.
Despite the controversy, Hill continues to maintain her innocence.
Read Shocking Audio Emerges: 96-Year-Old Interrogated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in the Case Against Commissioner Regina Hill
