The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced today that Christina Lynn Morris, 46, of Plant City, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
According to court documents, Morris worked as a Fiscal and Business Analyst for a public research university in the Middle District of Florida, while also serving as President of a charitable organization based in the same region.
Between July 2021 and July 2023, Morris embezzled more than $290,000 by using her positions at the University and the Association to conduct unauthorized transactions, court records show.
Specifically, she used a university credit card, as well as credit cards issued to other university employees, and the Association’s bank accounts to make non-business transactions at various companies, including the bulk purchase of gift cards.
The court filings further detail how Morris exploited the Association’s tax-exempt status to avoid paying sales tax on personal purchases made with the embezzled funds.