New Details Re: Florida A&M Athletics Director’s Alleged Casino Spending Revealed
New information has emerged concerning Florida A&M University (FAMU) Athletic Director Angela Suggs’ purported illegal use of a nonprofit's credit card prior to her employment at the state university in Tallahassee.
On Monday, Suggs was accused of first-degree felony grand theft and third-degree felony fraud scheme. The 55-year-old, who just took over as AD at Florida A&M, home of the NCAA Division I Rattlers, in September 2024, is also dealing with four misdemeanor charges for submitting false information on travel vouchers.
The probable cause affidavit for Suggs’ arrest has now been published by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The document outlines her purported expenditures during her tenure at the Florida Sports Foundation, a nonprofit she managed as president and CEO from 2017 until her recruitment at FAMU.
Suggs turned himself in on Monday and was freed on a $13,500 bond later that evening. She has released a statement regarding the allegations made against her.
"Regarding the charges recently brought against me in connection with my previous place of employment, I want to make it clear that these matters are entirely unrelated to Florida A&M University or my current role. I am fully committed to addressing these allegations through the appropriate legal channels. I regret the distraction caused, and I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support, fervent prayers, and continued encouragement I’ve received during this most difficult time,” Suggs said.
“I remain focused, resilient, and committed to our shared goals and determined to fulfill our ongoing, planned, and collective success,” she added.
Gaming Expenditures
Prosecutors in Florida assert that Suggs utilized a credit card from the Florida Sports Foundation to cover her personal costs, which involved multiple visits to casinos. The Second Judicial Circuit's State Attorney's Office stated in a press release earlier this week that Suggs accumulated over $24,000 in expenses on the charge card that appear to be unrelated to the organization's aim of supporting professional, amateur, and recreational sports in Florida.
The public affidavit outlines the expenditures in question. The summary claims that Suggs improperly utilized the nonprofit's credit card "for potential gambling at casinos," along with other wrongdoings.
The affidavit reveals 23 transactions made at casinos using her FSF-issued Visa card.
- During an Aug. 16-18, 2022, trip to Resorts World Las Vegas, she used the card for $649.98 in expenses
- In 2024, during a visit to an unspecified Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Florida on Feb. 16, she used the card for five wire transfers/money orders totaling $2,860.68
- Back at the Seminole Hard Rock on June 29-30, 2024, Suggs reportedly made 11 wire transfers/money orders on the FSF card totaling $13,817.25
- On Aug. 26-29 of that same year, she made five transfers at the Potawatomi Casino Hotel in Milwaukee totaling $5,877.30
Paid Leave
Florida A&M University has put Suggs on paid administrative leave until further notice. Suggs explained to law enforcement that some of the costs were associated with business dinners and others were wrongly billed to the card.
Law enforcement claims Suggs attempted to intentionally steal from the nonprofit.
"Suggs, while holding the position of CEO/President of Florida Sports Foundation, knowingly engaged in a systematic, ongoing course of conduct with the intent to defraud the Florida Sports Foundation,” the affidavit declared. “Suggs submitted or caused to be submitted false travel documents indicating that funds were used for FSF business, when in fact, the funds were used for personal gain or pleasure.”
A court date for Suggs' preliminary hearing has not been established yet.