The charges come after a months-long investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, during which it was discovered that she misused her business-issued credit card and racked up $24k in personal expenses.

The investigation began two months after she assumed the Vice President and Director of Athletics position with FAMU. Investigators clarified that the allegations are linked to her former employer, a job she had before taking the Athletics position at FAMU.

Former Employer & Explanation

Suggs formerly served as the president and CEO of the Florida Sports Foundation (FSF), a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the sports industry in Florida. According to the FDLE, the FSF “functions as “a direct-support organization operating under the Florida Department of Commerce. ”

The investigation eventually showed that she had used the company-issued card for numerous personal expenses, including trips to the casino during business trips. She then allegedly tried to falsify those expenses as charges for meals.

When asked about the charges, she said they were accidentally charged to the business card. She also allegedly “failed “to fully repay FSF for her expenditures.”

FAMU has placed Suggs on Administrative leave with pay until further notice.

Florida Casinos

Casinos have had a bad reputation for years, as many people still believe the Hollywood depiction of gangsters and criminals running amok. However, that can’t be another truth from the Sunshine State, as Florida casinos are heavily regulated by the state and are only allowed on tribal land.

Florida has seven domestic casinos, six of which are owned by the Seminole Tribe and the Miccosukee Tribe. Recently, the Seminole Tribe launched Florida’s online casino from within state lines.

While commercial casinos have been barred from the state via the gambling compact, FL online casinos outside the state can still legally operate.

Florida Gambling Laws

There are no current state gambling laws that make online casinos illegal. However, the state does not authorize any online casino either. The Hard Rock Bet app is technically different as it operates from servers located on federal land and technically not the state of Florida.

Hard Rock is the Seminole Tribes staple brand, and there are four properties in Florida.

This initiative underscores Florida’s commitment to enforcing gaming laws and protecting its residents from unauthorized gambling activities.

Details of the Raids and Seizures

On December 10, 2024, FGCC agents assisted the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in executing search warrants at five illegal casino establishments within the county. These operations resulted in the confiscation of:

• Over 500 illegal gambling machines and related equipment.
• More than $845,000 in cash proceeds from the illicit activities.
• A 2022 Chevrolet Silverado was utilized to transport funds between illegal casinos.

In a parallel operation, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office targeted illegal gambling venues, leading to the closure of 11 establishments, including:

• Preview Games, Orange City
• Winner’s Circle, DeLand
• Cyber Monkey, DeLand
• Phoenix 3, DeLand
• Comptrek, DeLand
• Lucky Seven Arcade, Pierson
• Spin-N-Win, Ormond Beach
• Winners, Ormond Beach
• Lucky Duck, Daytona Beach
• Klix Arcade, Daytona Beach
• Jiffy, Ormand Beach

Combined with an earlier operation in 2023, Volusia County detectives have seized more than 600 gaming machines and $1.1 million in cash. Each of the above-mentioned casinos was issued cease-and-desist letters before the raids were conducted.

Legal Implications and Community Impact

The operation of illegal casinos poses significant risks to communities, including the potential for associated criminal activities and the lack of regulatory oversight to protect consumers. Florida gambling laws prohibit unauthorized gambling establishments, and individuals involved in such operations may face charges related to operating illegal gambling houses and possession of unlawful gaming devices.

The recent enforcement actions serve as a deterrent to those considering engaging in or facilitating illegal gambling activities. They also reassure the public of the state’s dedication to upholding the law and maintaining the integrity of gaming within Florida.

How Many Casinos Are In Florida?

There are seven FL Indian casinos throughout the state, six of which are owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the other by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.

Florida tribes recently updated their compact with the state to include sports betting. After several attempts to derail the new privilege, online sports betting went live on November 7, 2023.

West Flagler Associates, Bonita-Fort Myers Corp., Southwest Florida Enterprises, Inc., and Isadore Havenick have agreed not to seek further legal action against the Seminole Tribe. In return, the Hard Rock Bet App will start accepting Jai Alai wagering in 2025.

Today, the Hard Rock Bet app is available to all Florida residents and visitors over 21. You can also bet in-person on sports at any of the FL Indian casinos.

In 2021, The Seminole Tribe and the state of Florida revised their compact to include in-person and mobile sports betting. The agreement also allowed for the addition of Craps and Roulette at domestic casino locations.

A lawsuit soon followed, claiming that the new agreement gave the Seminole Tribe a monopoly on legal sports betting in the state. The lawsuit also claimed that mobile sportsbooks violated the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, requiring all bets be placed on tribal land. However, the lawsuit was later dismissed by the state’s Supreme Court.

Hard Rock CEO Jim Allen stated, “This agreement establishes a relationship of collaboration among the Seminole Tribe and West Flagler in the State of Florida. Rather than engaging in years of additional litigation, this agreement will allow the parties to work together to promote Jai Alai, which has played an important role in Florida’s gaming landscape for nearly 100 years.”

What Is Jai Alai?

Jai Alai is a sport that originated in Spain and has become popular worldwide, including in Florida. It is played on a three-walled court called a “frontón” using a curved, hand-held basket called a “cesta.”

Players use the cesta to hurl a small, hard ball, known as a “pelota,” at high speeds against the front wall. The objective of Jai Alai is to score points by making the ball rebound off the front wall so that the opponent cannot catch it before it bounces twice on the floor.

Are Online Casinos Legal In Florida?

There are no domestic online casinos in Florida, but online Florida casinos are available from offshore sources. Since the state’s gambling laws do not forbid online gambling, operators from outside the state can legally accept players from the Sunshine State.

Popular online casino gambling sites have been accepting Florida players since the late 1990s and typically offer more gambling variations and slot titles than their domestic counterparts. Classic casino games like blackjack, roulette, video poker, and live dealer games are available.