FAMU athletics director Angela Suggs charged in relation to previous job, FDLE says
Before she joined FAMU in October 2024, Suggs was president and CEO of the Florida Sports Foundation, or FSF.
"The investigation began in November 2024 after FDLE received a criminal referral from the Florida Department of Commerce's Inspector General with an audit of Suggs' business credit card purchases and corresponding travel reimbursements," FDLE said in a June 9 statement. (The Florida Sports Foundation is a "direct-support organization" operating under the Florida Department of Commerce.)
"The investigation revealed Suggs misused her FSF-issued credit card to make wire transfers and cash withdraws and personal purchases at casinos during business trips, totaling more than $24,000," the statement said. "She then falsified travel vouchers, coding the unauthorized charges as meals.
"When asked about the unauthorized charges, Suggs claimed some were for business meals and others were accidentally charged to the business card. She failed to fully repay (the foundation) for her personal expenditures."
Suggs turned herself in June 9 at the Leon County Jail. She was released from custody on a $13,500 bond shortly after 2:30 p.m., court records show.
In a statement to the university community, Interim FAMU President Timothy Beard said he was "aware of the allegations involving our athletics director, Angela Suggs, while she was working with a former employer. While the matter is unrelated to her duties as an employee at FAMU, we are monitoring the situation and will respond in the future as appropriate."
The Florida Sports Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit corporation, serving as the Sports Industry Development Division of the State of Florida.
Suggs started at FAMU on Oct. 7, 2024 and replaced Tiffani-Dawn Sykes. Sykes resigned in August 2024 amidst a leadership change administered by FAMU Interim President Dr. Timothy Beard.
In September 2024, FAMU's Board of Trustees unanimously approved a three-year, $750,000 contract ($250,000 annually) for Suggs to become the university's VP and Director of Athletics.
Suggs joined FAMU from the Florida Sports Foundation, where she had served as CEO and President since 2017 and oversaw the state's nearly $60 billion sports tourism industry. Maicel Green, an Olympian gold medalist and NCAA champion in track and field, is currently CEO and President of the Foundation.
According to Suggs' bio on FAMU's website, she "led efforts in securing, hosting, and retaining sporting events and sports-related business throughout the state" for the sports foundation and "managed multi-million dollar grant programs supporting both amateur and professional sports events."
Previous coverage: Angela Suggs up and active during FAMU homecoming, first month as new athletic director
Suggs is a 1992 FAMU graduate who previously served as the Rattlers' Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA).
She holds a bachelor's degree in economics from FAMU and a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Thomas University.
The Tallahassee native who also attended FAMU DRS is a life member of the FAMU National Alumni Association.
Prior to joining the Foundation, Suggs held various roles at Florida A&M University, including Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA).
Suggs' previous experience also includes work in sales with Brown and Brown Insurance, Joe Robbie/Pro Player Stadium and the Marriott Corp.
This is a developing news story and may be updated. Check back later for more.
Contributors: Byron Dobson, Tarah Jean, Jim Rosica of the Democrat staff.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU athletics director charged with false travel claims in prior job
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