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FAMU Athletic Director Angela Suggs Arrested on Felony Charges Over Alleged Fraud originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
At a time when Florida A&M University (FAMU) is working to elevate its athletic legacy to new heights, the news out of Leon County has left Rattler Nation stunned. Angela Suggs, the university’s Vice President and Director of Athletics, was arrested Monday on serious criminal charges stemming from her time before joining FAMU, and the ripple effects are just beginning.
Suggs, 55, turned herself in to authorities after a months-long investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). She faces two felony charges, grand theft and scheme to defraud, along with four misdemeanors tied to false claims on travel vouchers. According to FDLE, Suggs allegedly misused more than $24,000 in public funds during her previous role as President and CEO of the Florida Sports Foundation (FSF), a state-backed nonprofit focused on sports development.
The allegations? Lavish misuse of a business credit card, including wire transfers, cash withdrawals, and personal casino expenses, all disguised as “meals” in travel documents. FDLE officials say the false reimbursements and lack of repayment prompted the charges. Suggs was booked at the Leon County Jail and released later the same day on $13,500 bond.
For FAMU faithful, the shock isn’t just about the charges, it’s about the timing. Suggs was hired in October 2024, stepping into a high-profile role tasked with guiding FAMU athletics into a new era of competitive excellence and visibility. Just two months later, the investigation quietly began.
FAMU’s new Athletic Director Angela Suggs at her introductory press conference. © Mishalynn Brown/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
University officials have tried to distance the school from the controversy. In a public statement, FAMU Interim President Timothy Beard clarified that the charges are tied to Suggs’ previous employment, not her current duties. “We are monitoring the situation and will respond in the future as appropriate,” the statement reads.
The FDLE investigation remains active, and the State Attorney’s Office for Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit is prosecuting the case. As of now, Suggs remains in her post, though many are questioning how long that will last.
With football season just months away and the Rattlers building on recent success across multiple sports, leadership instability could derail momentum. Whether FAMU decides to suspend or terminate Suggs in the coming days will likely define how quickly the program can rebound from this reputational hit.
For HBCU sports fans, the message is clear: accountability matters, and transparency will be key moving forward.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Continue reading...
At a time when Florida A&M University (FAMU) is working to elevate its athletic legacy to new heights, the news out of Leon County has left Rattler Nation stunned. Angela Suggs, the university’s Vice President and Director of Athletics, was arrested Monday on serious criminal charges stemming from her time before joining FAMU, and the ripple effects are just beginning.
Suggs, 55, turned herself in to authorities after a months-long investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). She faces two felony charges, grand theft and scheme to defraud, along with four misdemeanors tied to false claims on travel vouchers. According to FDLE, Suggs allegedly misused more than $24,000 in public funds during her previous role as President and CEO of the Florida Sports Foundation (FSF), a state-backed nonprofit focused on sports development.
The allegations? Lavish misuse of a business credit card, including wire transfers, cash withdrawals, and personal casino expenses, all disguised as “meals” in travel documents. FDLE officials say the false reimbursements and lack of repayment prompted the charges. Suggs was booked at the Leon County Jail and released later the same day on $13,500 bond.
For FAMU faithful, the shock isn’t just about the charges, it’s about the timing. Suggs was hired in October 2024, stepping into a high-profile role tasked with guiding FAMU athletics into a new era of competitive excellence and visibility. Just two months later, the investigation quietly began.
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FAMU’s new Athletic Director Angela Suggs at her introductory press conference. © Mishalynn Brown/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
University officials have tried to distance the school from the controversy. In a public statement, FAMU Interim President Timothy Beard clarified that the charges are tied to Suggs’ previous employment, not her current duties. “We are monitoring the situation and will respond in the future as appropriate,” the statement reads.
The FDLE investigation remains active, and the State Attorney’s Office for Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit is prosecuting the case. As of now, Suggs remains in her post, though many are questioning how long that will last.
With football season just months away and the Rattlers building on recent success across multiple sports, leadership instability could derail momentum. Whether FAMU decides to suspend or terminate Suggs in the coming days will likely define how quickly the program can rebound from this reputational hit.
For HBCU sports fans, the message is clear: accountability matters, and transparency will be key moving forward.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Continue reading...
