PLANT CITY, Fla. (WFLA) — An employee for a public research university with multiple campuses in Florida has been convicted of embezzling more than $290,000 from the institution and a charitable organization.

Christina Lynn Morris, 46, of Plant City, agreed to forfeit $293,202 after pleading guilty to wire fraud, and could face up to 20 years in prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Friday.

Court documents show Morris worked as a fiscal and business analyst for the university, which was not named. She also served as president for an unnamed charitable organization based in Florida.

From July 2021 through July 2023, Morris reportedly used her university credit card, as well as credit cards issued to other university employees, to make non-business purchases.

She also used the charity’s business bank accounts to make unapproved transactions, often including bulk purchases of gift cards.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Morris used the association’s tax-exempt status to avoid paying sales tax on items she bought with the gift cards.

Officials said she tried to cover up her crimes by submitting falsified documents, making false attestations to the university and withholding material information from the association.

Morris’s actions are estimated to have cost the university $261,632 and the charitable organization $31,569.