Last Thursday, Tennessee State Sen. Katrina Robinson was indicted by a federal grand jury for 48 counts of theft and embezzlement involving government programs and wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Robinson was charged with 24 counts of wire fraud and 24 counts of theft and embezzlement involving government programs.
In 2018, Robinson was elected to represent the 33rd District in Shelby County. She is also the director of The Healthcare Institute.
Robinson used federal funds for her own benefit
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, between 2015 and 2019, the Healthcare Institute obtained more than $2.2 million in federal subsidies from the Health Resources and Services Administration. Robinson was accused of stealing more than $600,000 from the Healthcare Institute by providing herself with a larger compensation than is allowed by law during her time in office.
Here’s an exclusive pic of FBI at the home of State Senator Katrina Robinson this morning. FBI confirmed they were there. This is the 2nd time this year. Working to find out why they were there. pic.twitter.com/sKsCaH2Op9
— Siobhan Riley (@SiobhanRileyTV) July 28, 2020
Robinson used Institute funds for payments and purchases for her own and her immediate family’s benefit. According to the feds, she used the money to pay for her lavish wedding and to buy a 2016 Jeep Renegade for her daughter and a $5000 wrought iron door for her home. She also paid for a cruise honeymoon, hair & beauty products, and finally a divorce with the grant money.
FBI protects the federal grant property
“Protection of the United States Treasury and federal grant programs against theft, fraud, waste, and abuse is a top priority of this office and the Department of Justice. We commend the FBI and the HHS-OIG for their diligent and thorough investigation in this case,” Dunavant declared in a statement.
Friendly reminder: corruption occurs on BOTH sides of the aisle. This corrupt pol is a Democrat.
Tennessee State Senator Katrina Robinson Charged in Criminal Complaint for Theft and Embezzlement Involving Government Programs and Wire Fraud https://t.co/cMBhr0iVO0— K. Louise Neufeld (@ninaandtito) July 29, 2020
“Anyone who seeks to take advantage of government programs will be vigorously investigated by the FBI, regardless of who they are or any position they hold,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jermicha L. Fomby of the Memphis Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “The public should know that the FBI will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners to identify and investigate those who seek to exploit government programs and line their own pockets.”
“It is believed that if I were not in the position that I’m in, that if I did not champion the voices, the views and the faces that I represent, that I would not be in this moment right now with you today,” said Robinson. “And for that reason, I want to reassure all my constituents, those in the 33rd Senatorial District, those citizens of Shelby County, of Memphis, Tennessee, that I am committed to continuing to serve with the same integrity, the same passion that I’ve demonstrated since you elected me to this office.”
If she is convicted, she can receive up to 20 years in federal prison, three years supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
