The former Chief Operating Officer of the Jackson Health Foundation, Charmaine Gatlin, pleaded guilty on September 11 to embezzling millions of dollars from the nonprofit organization. Court documents show that between 2014 and 2024, Gatlin directed at least $4.3 million away from the Foundation and Jackson Health System to herself, relatives, or unrelated entities.
Gatlin’s base salary during her tenure ranged from $185,000 to $290,000. Despite this compensation, she admitted to submitting false invoices and accepting kickbacks as part of a scheme that included approving about $2 million in fraudulent invoices from a Georgia-based audiovisual company for services never rendered. In exchange for these approvals, vendor Yergan Jones paid Gatlin $1 million in kickbacks; Jones has also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with the case (25-cr-20312).
Gatlin further instructed a merchandise vendor to buy luxury items—including goods from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Apple—for her personal use in return for continued business with the Foundation. She also authorized spending over $55,000 of restricted donations on “first aid kits” falsely labeled as “trauma burn giveaways.” Another incident involved Gatlin submitting a false invoice so she could purchase a rose gold-colored golf cart delivered to her home in Weston.
A sentencing hearing is set before U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom on November 25. Gatlin faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quinoñes for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office announced the plea agreement.
The FBI Miami investigated the case with help from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Young is prosecuting; Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Raemy Charest-Turken is handling asset forfeiture proceedings.
More information can be found at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls under case number 25-cr-20220.
