UPDATE 6/10/25 9:20 P.M.:
Angela Suggs released a statement saying she regrets the distraction these charges have caused, despite not being connected to FAMU. Suggs released this statement via Facebook:
"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. I remain focused, resilient, and committed to our shared goals and determined to fulfill our ongoing, planned, and collective success."
UPDATE 6/10/25 1:20 P.M.:
Florida A&M University released a statement saying the athletics director is on paid administrative leave. The university sent this statement:
"Florida A&M University is aware of allegations involving Athletics Director Angela Suggs and a former employer. While the matter is unrelated to FAMU, she has been placed on administrative leave with pay until further notice. Athletics business operations will continue under the deputy Directors of Athletics, Travis Glasgow and Brittney Johnson."
6/9/25 10:31 p.m.
Florida A&M's Athletic Director Angela Suggs is now out on bond after being charged with grand theft and fraud Monday.
I'm Alberto Camargo your College Town neighborhood reporter.
Taking a look at the details of the charges and what it means for FAMU.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced that Suggs turned herself in Monday.
The charges: one felony count of grand theft, one felony count of scheme to defraud, and four misdemeanor counts of false claims on travel vouchers.
FDLE says these charges involve her time with the Florida Sports Foundation as president and CEO.
Investigators say Suggs misused her FSF-issued credit card to make wire transfers and personal purchases at casinos.
Those charges totaled more than $24,000.
Investigators say she coded the purchases as meals and failed to repay the foundation.
Suggs left FSF in September 2024 to take the AD role at FAMU, replacing Tiffani-Dawn Sykes.
FDLE says it opened the investigation in Suggs in November.
Even though the charges do not involve FAMU directly, the conversations among alumni are quick to point out that this is not the kind of attention FAMU needs right now.
"Whether she's guilty or not, we need a break from our name being attached to negative news."
"I realize this doesn't involve FAMU, but how our reputation has diminished with things like this is truly heartbreaking and sad."
I reached out to FAMU to find out to what extent leadership knew about the investigation and whether Suggs was still in the job.
In a statement, FAMU interim president Dr. Timothy Beard said, "Florida A&M University is aware of the allegations involving our athletics director, Angela Suggs, while she was working with a former employer. 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."
Court records show Suggs bonded out of jail Monday afternoon.
FDLE says the investigation remains active.
At FAMU, Alberto Camargo, ABC27.
ORIGINAL STORY:
FAMU's Vice President and Director of Athletics, Angela Suggs, has turned herself in to authorities.
WTXL confirmed she was arrested on one felony count of grand theft, one felony count of scheme to defraud and four misdemeanor counts of false claims on travel vouchers.
READ STATEMENT FROM INTERIM PRESIDENT DR. TIMOTHY BEARD:
Florida A&M University is aware of the allegations involving our athletics director, Angela Suggs, while she was working with a former employer. 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.
According to FAMU's website, Suggs began the position on October 7, 2024.
She was the Florida Sports Foundation's president and CEO starting in 2017. She managed million-dollar grant programs supporting sports events.
Suggs held leadership positions at FAMU including senior associate athletics director for external affairs and senior woman administrator before her work at the foundation.
FULL PRESS RELEASE FROM FDLE:
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) announces the arrest of Angela Adams Suggs, 55, of Tallahassee, on one felony count each of grand theft and scheme to defraud, and four misdemeanor counts of false claims on travel vouchers. At the time of her arrest Suggs was the vice president and director of athletics for Florida A&M University (FAMU). She is the former president and CEO of the Florida Sports Foundation (FSF).
The investigation began In November 2024 after FDLE received a criminal referral from the Florida Department of Commerce’s Inspector General with an audit of Suggs’ FSF business credit card purchases and corresponding travel reimbursements. The FSF is a direct-support organization operating under the Florida Department of Commerce.
The investigation revealed that Suggs misused her FSF-issued credit card to make wire transfers and cash withdraws and personal purchases at casinos during business trips, totaling more than $24,000. She then falsified travel vouchers, coding the unauthorized charges as meals. When asked about the unauthorized charges, Suggs claimed some were for business meals and others were accidentally charged to the business card. She failed to fully repay FSF for her personal expenditures.
Suggs turned herself in today. She was booked into the Leon County Jail on a $13,500 bond. The Office of the State Attorney, Second Judicial Circuit is prosecuting the case.
FDLE’s investigation remains active.
Want to see more local news? Visit the WTXL ABC 27 Website.
Stay in touch with us anywhere, anytime.
