Senator Robinson seeks full acquittal or new trial in state’s fraud case
Katrina Robinson’s legal team is seeking an acquittal after the state senator was found guilty of four counts of fraud.
In a filing Friday, Robinson’s attorneys argue prosecutors misrepresented evidence and changed their legal theories mid-trial. That two-week trial ended Sept. 30 with a jury finding Robinson guilty. If not an outright acquittal, Robinson’s attorneys ask the judge to grant a new trial.
Robinson was initially served with a 48-count indictment Aug.11, 2020, alleging she illegally used $600,000 in federal funding meant for her school, The Healthcare Institute. Prosecutors said she used the money for personal expenses including food, makeup, and entertainment for a wedding.
The counts in Robinson’s indictment had been reduced to 20 by the time the trial started Sept. 13. Federal Judge Sheryl Lipman later acquitted Robinson of 15 counts of fraud on Sept. 26, citing
prosecutorial tactics that could have resulted in a mistrial.
By the time closing arguments wrapped on Sept. 29, the expenses in question totaled less than $3,500.
In the motion filed late last week, Robinson’s attorneys said federal prosecutors failed to prove Robinson schemed to collect money or property for personal use.
The defense said federal prosecutors provided a misleading and incomplete presentation of emails between Robinson and an associate, which allowed the court to find some evidence to show that two wedding expenses were connected to funds from the grant.
In addition, Robinson’s team said witness testimonies from employees and an investigator found no proof that Robinson falsified reports.
Robinson is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 5, 2022.
Commercial Appeal reporter Micaela A. Watts contributed to this report.
Astrid Kayembe covers South Memphis, Whitehaven and Westwood. She can be reached at astrid.kayembe@commercialappeal.com, (901) 304-7929 or on Twitter @astridkayembe_.