‘Suspicious credit card activity’: Scandal rocks Florida A&M athletics as prominent school official arrested

Florida A&M University (FAMU) is facing a major reputational crisis after police arrested Vice President and Athletics Director Angela Suggs.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) confirmed on June 9, 2025, that Suggs was taken into custody on multiple charges, including felony counts of grand theft and a scheme to defraud. This development has sent shockwaves through FAMU’s athletic community and raised urgent questions about financial oversight and institutional accountability.

Suspicious credit card activity

The arrest stems from a months-long FDLE investigation initiated in November 2024 after a referral by the Inspector General of the Florida Department of Commerce. The referral followed an audit that flagged suspicious activity involving Suggs’ use of a Florida Sports Foundation (FSF) business credit card. Suggs previously served as president and CEO of FSF, a direct-support organization affiliated with the state’s commerce department.

According to investigators, Suggs misused the FSF-issued card for unauthorized expenditures totaling over $24,000. These charges included wire transfers, cash withdrawals, and personal purchases made at casinos during official business trips.

FDLE reports that Suggs attempted to mask these personal expenses by falsifying travel vouchers, categorizing the casino and other unauthorized spending as business-related meals.

Suggs had inconsistent explanations

Despite inquiries from FSF regarding the questionable charges, Suggs reportedly offered inconsistent explanations, sometimes claiming the expenses were work-related and at other times calling them accidental. Her failure to reimburse FSF prompted a criminal investigation. Suggs now faces one count each of grand theft and scheme to defraud, both felonies. She also faces four misdemeanor counts related to filing false claims on travel vouchers.

Suggs was freed on bond

Suggs voluntarily turned herself in to authorities and was booked into Leon County Jail. She was freed the same day on a $13,500 bond. The Office of the State Attorney for Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit is prosecuting the case. As of now, the FDLE investigation remains active, and additional charges or institutional repercussions may still arise.

This scandal deals a heavy blow to FAMU’s storied athletics department. Under Suggs’ leadership, the university had been striving to elevate its athletic programs’ national profile. Her arrest now risks undermining these efforts, casting a shadow over current and future initiatives.

According to the AP, FAMU Interim President Timothy Beard said, “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.” FAMU placed Suggs on administrative leave.