News Summary
Angela Suggs, the Athletic Director at Florida A&M University, was arrested following an investigation into her alleged misappropriation of over $24,000. The charges include grand theft and scheme to defraud stemming from misuse of a business credit card during her previous role as president of the Florida Sports Foundation. Suggs was placed on administrative leave with pay pending the ongoing investigation, which has drawn disappointment from former players and coaches regarding the instability in the athletic department.
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Angela Suggs, the Athletic Director at Florida A&M University (FAMU), was arrested on June 9 following a months-long investigation into allegations of fraud and theft. Suggs, 55, is accused of misappropriating over $24,000 using a business credit card during her tenure as president and CEO of the Florida Sports Foundation (FSF).
The charges include one felony count of grand theft, one felony count of scheme to defraud, and four misdemeanor counts related to false claims on travel vouchers. Suggs turned herself in at the Leon County Detention Facility after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) concluded its investigation, which began in November 2024, shortly after her appointment at FAMU on October 7, 2024.
According to reports, Suggs allegedly used her FSF-issued credit card for personal expenses that included visits to casinos during business trips. The investigation was initiated by the Florida Department of Commerce’s Inspector General, which reviewed Suggs’ credit card transactions and travel reimbursements based on irregularities identified in an audit.
Charges against Suggs include misusing the card for what she classified as business dinners, but investigators noted that many of these transactions were falsified. Suggs reportedly coded unauthorized expenses as meals, manipulating the travel vouchers to cover these costs. Additionally, she failed to reimburse the FSF for the personal expenditures made on the credit card.
Following her arrest, FAMU has placed Suggs on administrative leave with pay, pending further developments in the case. The university, led by Interim President Timothy Beard, acknowledged the situation while asserting that it is unrelated to Suggs’ current responsibilities at FAMU. The athletic business operations at the university will be overseen by deputy directors of athletics, Travis Glasgow and Brittney Johnson, during Suggs’ absence.
Suggs’ appointment as athletic director has been troubled; she is the 11th individual to hold the position at FAMU since 2009, marking significant turnover within the athletic department. The university has expressed its commitment to monitoring the ongoing investigation and responding appropriately as the circumstances evolve.
While the case unfolds, many former players and coaches have voiced their disappointment regarding Suggs’ arrest, underscoring the need for stability within the athletic program. Suggs has publicly stated her intention to address the legal allegations appropriately, asserting that they are unrelated to her current position at FAMU.
The overall atmosphere surrounding Florida A&M University’s athletic department remains uncertain as the investigation progresses. With Suggs facing serious charges, her future with the university is precarious, and stakeholders await further announcements regarding the implications of her arrest on the athletic administration.
The investigation is ongoing, and Suggs’ situation will likely continue to develop as legal proceedings unfold. Stakeholders and the FAMU community are left to consider the potential ramifications for the athletic program as both the university and Suggs face a challenging road ahead.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: FAMU Athletics Needs to Move On?
- ESPN: FAMU AD Angela Suggs Accused of Stealing
- WCJB: FAMU Athletic Director Arrested
- HBCU Sports: Suggs Surrenders to Face Charges
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Angela Suggs
