Former Jackson Health Foundation COO accused in scheme to embezzle from nonprofit
The former Chief Operating Officer of a fundraising arm of Jackson Health System is facing federal charges stemming from allegations that she orchestrated a scheme to embezzle from the nonprofit by falsifying invoices and receiving kickbacks.
Charmaine Gatlin, 52, formerly of Weston, was Jackson Health Foundation's COO from 2014 through 2024. She has been charged by indictment with one count of wire fraud conspiracy, 26 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering, the U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of Florida announced in a news release on Wednesday.
She was fired from her position in November 2024, Jackson Health System said in a news release Wednesday afternoon. The investigation was launched after 'financial misappropriations' were 'identified by internal staff.'
Gatlin is accused of submitting false invoices to the foundation for nearly $4 million in goods and services that funded kickbacks to her and that were never given to the foundation or Jackson Health System, federal prosecutors said. The goods and services were given to Gatlin or her relatives instead, or were given to an Atlanta-based civic organization that prosecutors did not identify in the news release.
The indictment alleges that Gatlin approved about $2 million in invoices to an audiovisual company based in Georgia for services that were not provided to Jackson Health Foundation, prosecutors said in the release.
The vendor allegedly paid $1 million in kickbacks to Gatlin, who told the vendor in email how to falsify invoices, according to the news release. She used some of the money to pay her personal credit card bill.
Gatlin is also accused of falsifying invoices from a merchandise vendor who bought her gifts from designer brands Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Apple, at her request, prosecutors said. She submitted a false invoice to the foundation to cover buying a new rose gold-colored golf cart that was delivered to her home in Weston in September 2023.
Federal court records and attorney information were not available Wednesday afternoon.
'These stolen funds aren't just numbers on a ledger — they represent critical dollars meant to support our patients' lifesaving care, construction of our facilities, and the mission that defines Jackson,' said Carlos A. Migoya, CEO of Jackson Health System, in the hospital system's news release.
Jackson Health System said in the news release that they have been cooperating with federal authorities and prosecutors.
'Following a restructuring of Foundation leadership in 2024, Jackson discovered the misappropriation of Foundation funds and immediately reported it to law enforcement,' the news release said. 'Jackson has worked closely with federal authorities throughout every step of this investigation. At the same time, Jackson Health System implemented additional financial controls and administrative oversight of the Foundation.'
The foundation is a private fundraising arm of the Miami-Dade County nonprofit hospital system, according to its website. A volunteer board of directors governs the organization that is 'committed to philanthropic activities that benefit the medical programs and services at JHS.'
Jackson's funding comes from philanthropic contributions, sales taxes and federal government programs, among other sources. While COO, Gatlin was paid a base salary ranging from $185,000 to $290,000 and signed a conflict-of-interest form with the foundation that prevented her 'from making decisions that resulted in personal gain,' federal prosecutors said.
This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.
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