Charmaine Gatlin, former chief operating officer of the Jackson Health Foundation, faces federal charges for allegedly stealing $3.6 million from the nonprofit that supports Miami-Dade’s public hospital system.
According to court records, Gatlin was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 26 counts of wire fraud, and five counts of money laundering. Prosecutors allege she conspired with others over several years to create fake vendors and submit phony invoices for services like lighting, sound, staging, and event management that were never provided. The funds allegedly went into her personal accounts, used for items such as a $4,350 Louis Vuitton bag, Gucci merchandise, and a $15,617 rose gold golf cart delivered to her Weston home.
Gatlin, who earned about $300,000 annually, was placed on paid administrative leave in October 2024 and fired for cause in early November following an internal investigation.
The Jackson Health Foundation raises private funds for hospitals and programs serving uninsured and low-income patients, including cancer screenings and mobile clinics in Liberty City and Overtown. While it works closely with Jackson Health System, their finances are separate. An audit uncovered the alleged fraud shortly after the foundation’s fiscal year ended in September 2024, flagging it in the January 2025 annual financial report to the Public Health Trust.
Jackson Health is central to Miami-Dade’s public health network, particularly for largely Black communities facing higher rates of chronic illness. The loss of $3.6 million in philanthropic funding could impact those most vulnerable. Hy-Lo News will monitor how this affects Black Miami residents.
A GoFundMe campaign appears to have been launched in Gatlin’s honor by organizer Clara Burks on behalf of attorney David Howard, with a goal of raising $75,000 for legal fees. The campaign has collected $26,500, suggesting some level of community support.
Gatlin has not publicly commented on the charges and appears to be keeping a low profile, with her LinkedIn account now deleted. She remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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