Financial misconduct allegations involving a hospital charity have drawn attention to how money intended for healthcare fundraising can be diverted through seemingly routine business payments. In Miami, federal prosecutors have accused a former senior executive of Jackson Health Foundation of approving millions of dollars in invoices for goods and services that were never supplied. The alleged scheme involved a Georgia-based audiovisual company, a merchandise supplier and payments that investigators say benefited the executive personally. As reported by The Department of Justice, among the purchases described in the indictment were luxury items from Louis Vuitton and Gucci, Apple products and a rose-gold golf cart delivered to her home in Florida.
Former hospital charity COO accused of taking more than $1 million in kickbacks
Charmaine Gatlin, 52, who served as chief operating officer of Jackson Health Foundation between 2014 and 2024, was charged in a federal indictment unsealed on 21 May 2025. Prosecutors allege that she used her position to arrange payments through false invoices and received more than $1 million in kickbacks from a business vendor.The foundation is the fundraising organisation associated with Jackson Health System, a nonprofit hospital network serving Miami-Dade County in Florida. Its work involves collecting philanthropic contributions to support the healthcare system, which also receives funding through sales taxes, federal programmes and other sources.Gatlin held a senior operational position and earned an annual base salary ranging from $185,000 to $290,000, according to the indictment. She had also signed a conflict-of-interest declaration stating that she would not make decisions that could provide her with personal financial benefits.
How false invoices allegedly generated $1 million in kickbacks
The indictment describes at least $3.6 million in invoices submitted to Jackson Health Foundation for goods and services that prosecutors say were either never delivered, supplied to Gatlin or her relatives, or directed to an Atlanta-based civic organisation rather than the foundation or hospital system.One of the largest alleged arrangements involved a Georgia-based audiovisual company. According to prosecutors, Gatlin approved approximately $2 million in invoices for work that was not actually carried out for the foundation.The vendor allegedly returned around $1 million to Gatlin through kickback payments. Some of this money was reportedly used to settle her personal credit card bill, turning payments recorded as organisational expenses into funds that benefited her privately.Prosecutors also allege that Gatlin communicated with the audiovisual supplier by email and provided guidance on how to prepare invoices that falsely represented the services being purchased.
Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Apple purchases included in the allegations
A separate part of the indictment concerns a merchandise supplier that allegedly purchased expensive personal items at Gatlin’s request. Rather than paying for the gifts herself, prosecutors say she arranged for the vendor to acquire the products and submitted false invoices to the foundation to cover their costs.The items included designer goods from Louis Vuitton and Gucci, along with Apple products. The alleged arrangement meant that purchases intended for Gatlin personally were presented through payments made by the nonprofit organisation.The indictment also identifies a rose-gold-coloured golf cart as one of the purchases allegedly covered through this process. According to prosecutors, Gatlin arranged for a false invoice to be submitted for the vehicle, which was delivered to her home in Weston, Florida, in September 2023, as reported by The Department of Justice.
$3.6 million in allegedly false invoices over several years
The alleged transactions were not limited to one supplier or a single payment. Prosecutors say the invoices submitted during Gatlin’s tenure covered at least $3.6 million in goods and services, with several different outcomes for the money.Some payments allegedly funded kickbacks, while others covered products or services that never reached Jackson Health Foundation or its associated hospital system. In other instances, the benefits were directed towards Gatlin’s relatives or the Atlanta-based civic organisation identified in the indictment.
Federal indictment carries potential prison sentences
Gatlin faces 32 federal charges: one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 26 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering.The potential penalties are substantial. Each conspiracy and substantive wire fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, while each money laundering count carries a maximum of 10 years. These are statutory maximum penalties, not an indication of the sentence she would receive if convicted.The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Miami office, with assistance from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. US Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne and acting FBI Miami Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles announced the charges. Assistant US Attorney Elizabeth Young is handling the prosecution, while Assistant US Attorney G. Raemy Charest-Turken is responsible for asset forfeiture matters.The case was announced by the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida on 21 May 2025. Gatlin is presumed innocent unless prosecutors establish her guilt in court. An indictment represents formal criminal allegations, not a finding of guilt.