TALLAHASSEE, Fla. โ On Monday, Florida A&M Universityโs athletic director, Angela Suggs, was apprehended on charges of fraud and theft, accused of misusing a corporate credit card for personal expenses amassing over $24,000 while in her previous position.
Suggs, aged 55, voluntarily surrendered and was processed at the Leon County Jail, securing her release thereafter on a $13,500 bond.
The charges brought against her include two felonies: grand theft and a scheme to defraud, alongside four misdemeanor counts related to false claims on travel vouchers.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement revealed that Suggs orchestrated wire transfers, made cash withdrawals, and carried out personal purchases in casinos during her business travel while she was serving as the CEO of the Florida Sports Foundation.
This investigation was initiated last November following a criminal referral received by the FDLE from the Florida Department of Commerceโs Inspector General. The referral resulted from an audit of Suggsโ business credit card purchases and the corresponding travel reimbursements associated with the Florida Sports Foundation, which functions as a direct-support agency under the Department of Commerce.
The audit uncovered that Suggs had altered travel vouchers by misrepresenting unauthorized charges as business meals, according to the FDLE. When questioned about these transactions, Suggs insisted some were pertinent to business meals and others were erroneously charged to the companyโs card. However, she did not fully reimburse the Foundation for these personal expenses, as stated by the FDLE.
FAMU Interim President Timothy Beard, addressing the allegations, mentioned that the university is cognizant of the issues linked to her tenure at a โformer employer.โ He asserted that while this matter does not pertain to Suggsโ responsibilities at FAMU, the institution is closely observing the situation and will decide on any necessary actions in the future.
No attorney information was provided for Suggs in jail records. Notably, she made headlines in April for appointing 1993 Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward as head coach of the universityโs menโs basketball team.