The FBI dropped both the hammer and the anvil on Tennessee State Democrat Senator Katrina Robinson. Her champagne wishes and caviar dreams came to an abrupt end as she was dragged away in handcuffs, charged with theft and embezzlement. Depending on what mood the judge is in when she finally gets to sentencing, Robinson could get up to 20 years.
This Senator represented herself
Elected to represent the interests of the 33rd District in Shelby County, Tennessee, Senator Robinson primarily represented herself. Just a few of the highlights from the federal court records are notations that “Robinson used the stolen funds to buy a 2016 Jeep Renegade automobile for her daughter, a $5,000 wrought iron front entry door for her home, clothing, accessories and beauty products.”
According to the indictment filed in federal court, Katrina Robinson, a 39-year-old state level Senator of the Democrat persuasion, skimmed around $600,000 from The Healthcare Institute, a company which listed her as a director on paper. She’s looking at a sentence of up to 20 years and a $250,000 fine.
The “institute” raked in a cool $2.2 million taxpayer dollars in federal grants. Most of that financed Robinson’s lavish lifestyle. Her family made out like bandits too, because “Robinson used a large portion of the money for personal purchases for herself and her family in violation of the term of the grant.” The Senator paid more than $2k for supplies so her kids could run a snow-cone stand.
A commentary on modern life
In a commentary on modern life, Senator Robinson used embezzled money to pay for her wedding, honeymoon, and subsequent divorce. “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.” Those entrusted with federal money aren’t allowed to use it to pay off their “credit cards and student loan.”
Jermicha Fomby is Acting Special Agent in Charge at the Memphis FBI field office. He wants the public to know “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.” Even if they are a Senator.
The crucial event that led to the arrest of Senator Robinson happened when the Department of Health and Human Services got a tip “she bought a $550 Louis Vuitton bag using the Institute’s funds.” That’s a no-no. “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.”
