Plant City woman pleads guilty to embezzling more than $290,000 from university and charity

TAMPA, FL – Christina Lynn Morris, 46, of Plant City, pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges, United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced. Morris now faces up to 20 years in federal prison and has agreed to forfeit $293,202, which represents the proceeds of her crime.

According to court documents, Morris held a dual position as a fiscal and business analyst at a public research university with several campuses in the Middle District of Florida and as president of a charitable organization in the same region. Between July 2021 and July 2023, she used her roles to embezzle more than $290,000. She used her university-issued credit card as well as a credit card assigned to other employees and misappropriated funds from the charity’s business accounts to make unauthorized transactions, including multiple purchases of gift cards.

In addition, Morris manipulated the charity’s tax-exempt status to avoid tax on these transactions. To cover up her activities, she fabricated documents, forged certifications and withheld key information from both the university and the charity. Her actions resulted in financial losses of $261,632.17 to the university and $31,569.87 to the charity.

A sentencing date has not yet been set for Morris, but she faces severe punishment for her actions.