Miami Nonprofit Exec Accused of Lavish Looting: Feds Say She Blew Stolen Cash on Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and a Rose Gold Golf Cart

In a scandal that reads more like a reality TV plot than a federal indictment, the former Chief Operating Officer of Jackson Health Foundation has been charged with masterminding a million-dollar kickback scheme — allegedly using stolen nonprofit funds to bankroll a lifestyle of designer handbags, luxury gadgets, and even a rose gold-colored golf cart delivered straight to her upscale Weston home.

Federal prosecutors say Charmaine Gatlin, 52, helped herself to more than $1 million in kickbacks while falsifying invoices totaling over $3.6 million. Gatlin, who held the powerful position at the Foundation — the philanthropic arm of Miami-Dade’s publicly funded Jackson Health System — is now facing over 30 felony charges, including wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering.

Despite earning a six-figure salary (up to $290,000 a year), investigators allege that wasn’t enough to fund her extravagant tastes. According to the indictment, Gatlin orchestrated a years-long scheme that included:

• Submitting fake invoices to a Georgia-based audiovisual company that provided no services but paid Gatlin hefty kickbacks.
• Coaching vendors on how to forge documents via email.
• Using a merchandise supplier to buy designer goods from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Apple, all on the Foundation’s dime.
• Filing a bogus invoice to cover the purchase of a custom rose gold golf cart, allegedly delivered to her driveway in 2023.

If convicted, Gatlin faces decades behind bars — up to 20 years per wire fraud charge and 10 years per count of money laundering.

Jackson Health Foundation, which raises funds to support Miami’s safety-net hospital system, receives donations as well as public dollars through sales taxes and federal funding. That means some of the stolen money may have come from taxpayers themselves.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Miami Field Office and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. Prosecutors have indicated asset forfeiture proceedings are also underway — meaning Gatlin’s flashy loot may soon be up for government repossession.

The allegations are severe, but it’s worth noting: Gatlin is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.