# Katrina Robinson

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**Katrina Robinson** (born January 13, 1981) is an American former politician who served in the [Tennessee Senate](/source/Tennessee_State_Senate) from the [33rd district](/source/Tennessee's_33rd_Senate_district) from 2019 to 2022 as a member of the [Democratic Party](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)). She was the first sitting member of the state senate to be indicted since [Operation Tennessee Waltz](/source/Operation_Tennessee_Waltz) and later became the first person to ever be expelled from the state senate.[2]

Robinson was born in [Memphis, Tennessee](/source/Memphis,_Tennessee), educated at the [University of Memphis](/source/University_of_Memphis) and [Union University](/source/Union_University), and founded a nursing college in 2015. She was elected to the state senate in the 2018 election after defeating incumbent Senator [Reginald Tate](/source/Reginald_Tate_(politician)) in the Democratic primary.

Robinson was indicted on forty-eight charges relating to the embezzlement of $600,000 from federal grants to her nursing school in 2020. The charges against her were reduced to twenty before Judge [Sheryl H. Lipman](/source/Sheryl_H._Lipman) acquitted her on fifteen charges. She was found guilty on four counts of wire fraud in 2021.

## Early life and education

Katrina Robinson was born on January 13, 1981, in [Memphis, Tennessee](/source/Memphis,_Tennessee). Her sister, Sherra Wright-Robinson, was the wife of professional basketball player [Lorenzen Wright](/source/Lorenzen_Wright) and was convicted for his murder.[3]

From 1998 to 2008, she attended the [University of Memphis](/source/University_of_Memphis) and graduated with a [Bachelor of Business Administration](/source/Bachelor_of_Business_Administration) in marketing management. In 2010, she graduated from [Union University](/source/Union_University) with a [Bachelor of Science in Nursing](/source/Bachelor_of_Science_in_Nursing).[4]

## Career

### Nursing college

In 2015, Robinson founded The Healthcare Institute, a nursing college, and received $1.6 million in grants from the [United States Department of Health and Human Services](/source/United_States_Department_of_Health_and_Human_Services). She received a total of $2.2 million in federal grants from 2015 to 2019.[5][6] The Healthcare Institute started with two students and later expanded to over six hundred students.[7]

### Tennessee Senate

In 2018, Robinson was elected to the [Tennessee Senate](/source/Tennessee_State_Senate) from the [33rd district](/source/Tennessee's_33rd_Senate_district) as a member of the [Democratic Party](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)).[8] On January 29, 2018, Robinson announced that she would run in the Democratic primary. She defeated incumbent Senator [Reginald Tate](/source/Reginald_Tate_(politician)) in the Democratic primary and faced no opposition in the general election. Tate had been censured by the Shelby County Democratic Party and Robinson was endorsed by United States Representative [Steve Cohen](/source/Steve_Cohen_(politician)) and Senate Minority Leader [Sara Kyle](/source/Sara_Kyle).[9][10][11]

### Criminal conviction

In 2016, an investigation into Robinson was started after an anonymous complaint to the [United States Department of Health and Human Services](/source/United_States_Department_of_Health_and_Human_Services) reported that she had used $550 of federal grant money to purchase a [Louis Vuitton](/source/Louis_Vuitton) handbag.[12] On February 21 and July 28, 2020, the [Federal Bureau of Investigation](/source/Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation) executed [search warrants](/source/Search_warrant) at Robinson's house and [nursing school](/source/Nursing_school).[1][13] On July 30, Robinson was indicted on 48 charges, 24 charges of [theft](/source/Theft) and [embezzlement](/source/Embezzlement) from government programs, and 24 charges of [wire fraud](/source/Wire_fraud), in the [United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee](/source/United_States_District_Court_for_the_Western_District_of_Tennessee).[5] The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that her expenses included a trip to [Montego Bay](/source/Montego_Bay), [Jamaica](/source/Jamaica) which lasted six days, $2,929.26 spent at [Wayfair](/source/Wayfair), $856 spent on a [Carnival Cruise Line](/source/Carnival_Cruise_Line), and $54,000 for a retirement fund.[14]

Robinson was accused of stealing $600,000 from $2.2 million in federal grants given to her nursing school from 2015 to 2019. She was the first sitting member of the Tennessee Senate to be indicted since [Operation Tennessee Waltz](/source/Operation_Tennessee_Waltz) in 2005.[15]

On August 12, 2020, she pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty on four of the five charges of wire fraud on September 30, 2021. The forty-eight charges were reduced to twenty charges and Judge [Sheryl H. Lipman](/source/Sheryl_H._Lipman) acquitted her of fifteen of the counts stating that the evidence matched to different theories which could cause a mistrial if theories were switched during the trial.[16][17][18] She was sentenced on March 18, 2022 to one year supervised release.[19] A federal case against her, Katie Ayers, and Brooke Boudreaux was dismissed by Lipman after Robinson agreed to complete at twelve month diversion period.[20][21]

Lieutenant Governor [Randy McNally](/source/Randy_McNally) called for Robinson to resign following her conviction. Robinson claims that she was "targeted for prosecution" and Representative [Torrey Harris](/source/Torrey_Harris) opposes forcing her out of the legislature and claimed that "there was no evidence presented that she misappropriated less than $3,500 from her own business".[22] Robinson became the first member of the state senate to be expelled when the state senate voted twenty-seven to five, with all Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats voting against, on February 2, 2022, to remove her.[23]

### Campaign funding disclosure lawsuit

In February 2023, Robinson was sued by the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance to collect financial penalties resulting from her failure to file 2020 and 2021 financial disclosures documents. Robinson was initially assessed a $7,500 fine in August, 2021 for not filing required campaign disclosure documents for 2020. The registry then added a $10,000 fine after Robinson again failed to submit the documents in 2021. [Tennessee Attorney General](/source/Tennessee_Attorney_General) [Jonathan Skrmetti](/source/Jonathan_Skrmetti)'s office is prosecuting the case.[24]

## References

1. ["FBI searches home and nursing school founded by Tennessee state Sen. Katrina Robinson"](https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2020/02/21/fbi-searches-home-nursing-school-bounded-by-tennessee-state-sen-katrina-robinson/). *[WMC-TV](/source/WMC-TV)*. February 21, 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200803072609/https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2020/02/21/fbi-searches-home-nursing-school-bounded-by-tennessee-state-sen-katrina-robinson/) August 3, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 2, 2020.

1. Friedman, Melissa Brown and Adam (February 2, 2022). ["Tennessee Senate expels Sen. Katrina Robinson from legislature, a first for the chamber"](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2022/02/02/tennessee-senator-katrina-robinson-expelled-senate-over-fraud-charges/9204524002/). *The Commercial Appeal*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220203030520/https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2022/02/02/tennessee-senator-katrina-robinson-expelled-senate-over-fraud-charges/9204524002/) February 3, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2 February 2022.

1. ["Katrina Robinson, Sherra Wright's sister, running for state Senate"](https://www.actionnews5.com/story/37366232/sherra-wrights-sister-running-for-state-senate/). *[WMC-TV](/source/WMC-TV)*. January 28, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2025.

1. ["Katrina Robinson's Biography"](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/182390/katrina-robinson). *[Vote Smart](/source/Vote_Smart)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220204001517/https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/182390/katrina-robinson) February 4, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 2, 2020.

1. ["State Sen. Katrina Robinson indicted on 48 counts of theft, embezzlement, wire fraud"](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/breaking/2020/07/29/memphis-democratic-lawmaker-charged-theft-embezzlment-wire-fraud/4880665002/). *[The Commercial Appeal](/source/The_Commercial_Appeal)*. July 30, 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200804233314/https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/breaking/2020/07/29/memphis-democratic-lawmaker-charged-theft-embezzlment-wire-fraud/4880665002/) August 4, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 2, 2020.

1. ["2016 YOUNG MEMPHIS: KATRINA ROBINSON"](https://memphischamber.com/katrina-robinson/). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220204001521/https://memphischamber.com/katrina-robinson/) February 4, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 2, 2020.

1. ["SBA Spotlight: Katrina Robinson, CEO of The Healthcare Institute (video)"](https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2019/07/01/sba-spotlight-katrina-robinson-ceo-of-the.html). July 11, 2019. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220204001516/https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2019/07/01/sba-spotlight-katrina-robinson-ceo-of-the.html) February 4, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 3, 2020.

1. ["Grand jury indicts Tennessee state senator on theft charges"](https://apnews.com/1e692d6c4819502ff17b6b44dc1542a8). *[Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press)*. July 30, 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200802063633/https://apnews.com/1e692d6c4819502ff17b6b44dc1542a8) August 2, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 2, 2020.

1. ["Katrina Robinson Formally Announced Intention to Run for Tennessee District 33 State Senate Seat at Campaign Kickoff Event Saturday, January 27"](https://mmgmemphis.com/katrina-robinson-formally-announced-intention-run-tennessee-district-33-state-senate-seat-campaign-kickoff-event-saturday-january-27/). *Morris Marketing Group*. January 30, 2018.[dead link]

1. ["Three incumbents booted from Tennessee General Assembly in Thursday primary"](https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/tn-elections/2018/08/03/tennessee-election-reginald-tate-barry-doss-tim-wirgau-lose-primary/901413002/). *[The Tennessean](/source/The_Tennessean)*. August 3, 2018. [Archived](https://archive.today/20200802232817/https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/tn-elections/2018/08/03/tennessee-election-reginald-tate-barry-doss-tim-wirgau-lose-primary/901413002/) August 2, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 22, 2019.

1. ["The 9:01: Democrats censure Sen. Tate for 'vulgar' remarks"](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/the-901/2018/07/19/9-01-democrats-censure-tate-and-juvenile-court-replies-critics/783265002/?_ga=2.117227014.1278554080.1596408458-773456789.1596408440). *[The Commercial Appeal](/source/The_Commercial_Appeal)*. July 19, 2018. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220204001518/https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/the-901/2018/07/19/9-01-democrats-censure-tate-and-juvenile-court-replies-critics/783265002/?_ga=2.117227014.1278554080.1596408458-773456789.1596408440) February 4, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 2, 2020.

1. ["Tennessee State Senator Embezzled $600,000 in Federal Money, U.S. Says"](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/29/us/katrina-robinson-embezzlement-fraud.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. July 29, 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200804232726/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/29/us/katrina-robinson-embezzlement-fraud.html) August 4, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 3, 2020.

1. ["FBI agents sent to home of State Sen. Katrina Robinson, agency confirms"](https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/local/fbi-agents-sent-home-state-sen-katrina-robinson-agency-confirms/66TXQQXHH5B5HI6OUMRAB7GGMY/). *[WHBQ-TV](/source/WHBQ-TV)*. July 28, 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200807234745/https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/local/fbi-agents-sent-home-state-sen-katrina-robinson-agency-confirms/66TXQQXHH5B5HI6OUMRAB7GGMY/) August 7, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 3, 2020.

1. ["Accountant breaks down Robinson's expenses as trial continues"](https://dailymemphian.com/article/24209/katrina-robinson-the-healthcare-institute-trial). *Daily Memphian*. September 20, 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211226130201/https://dailymemphian.com/article/24209/katrina-robinson-the-healthcare-institute-trial) December 26, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 26, 2021.

1. ["The 901: Robinson is first Memphis senator indicted since Tennessee Waltz"](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/the-901/2020/07/31/robinson-first-memphis-senator-indicted-since-tennessee-waltz-901/5553488002/). *[The Commercial Appeal](/source/The_Commercial_Appeal)*. July 31, 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200803095317/https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/the-901/2020/07/31/robinson-first-memphis-senator-indicted-since-tennessee-waltz-901/5553488002/) August 3, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 2, 2020.

1. ["Sen. Katrina Robinson pleads not guilty to charges"](https://wreg.com/news/sen-katrina-robinson-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges-of-theft-embezzlement/). *[WREG-TV](/source/WREG-TV)*. August 12, 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200926120209/https://wreg.com/news/sen-katrina-robinson-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges-of-theft-embezzlement/) September 26, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 15, 2020.

1. ["Sen. Katrina Robinson found guilty on 4 fraud charges"](https://www.wreg.com/news/local/sen-katrina-robinson-found-guilty-of-four-fraud-charges/). *[WREG-TV](/source/WREG-TV)*. September 30, 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211226123244/https://www.wreg.com/news/local/sen-katrina-robinson-found-guilty-of-four-fraud-charges/) December 26, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 26, 2021.

1. ["Federal judge acquits TN Sen. Katrina Robinson on 15 of 20 fraud charges in ongoing trial"](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2021/09/26/federal-judge-acquits-katrina-robinson-majority-fraud-charges/5879659001/). *[The Commercial Appeal](/source/The_Commercial_Appeal)*. September 26, 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211226123852/https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2021/09/26/federal-judge-acquits-katrina-robinson-majority-fraud-charges/5879659001/) December 26, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 26, 2021.

1. ["Katrina Robinson sentenced to one year supervised release, no prison time"](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2022/03/18/katrina-robinson-sentenced-one-year-supervised-release-time-served/7082792001/). *The Commercial Appeal*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230309190015/https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2022/03/18/katrina-robinson-sentenced-one-year-supervised-release-time-served/7082792001/) March 9, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2024-12-15.

1. ["Case against state Sen. Katrina Robinson and codefendants dismissed following pre-trial diversion"](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2021/12/20/katrina-robinson-codefendants-enter-diversion-program-fraud-case/8969919002/). *[The Commercial Appeal](/source/The_Commercial_Appeal)*. December 20, 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211226125358/https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2021/12/20/katrina-robinson-codefendants-enter-diversion-program-fraud-case/8969919002/) December 26, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 26, 2021.

1. ["One case against Sen. Katrina Robinson dismissed"](https://www.wreg.com/news/local/one-case-against-sen-katrina-robinson-dismissed/). *[WREG-TV](/source/WREG-TV)*. December 21, 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211226125357/https://www.wreg.com/news/local/one-case-against-sen-katrina-robinson-dismissed/) December 26, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 26, 2021.

1. ["Memphis Democrat Katrina Robinson faces removal from Senate if she does not resign"](https://tennesseelookout.com/2021/10/06/memphis-democrat-katrina-robinson-faces-removal-from-senate-if-she-does-not-resign/). *Tennessee Lookout*. October 6, 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211226124245/https://tennesseelookout.com/2021/10/06/memphis-democrat-katrina-robinson-faces-removal-from-senate-if-she-does-not-resign/) December 26, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 26, 2021.

1. ["Tennessee Senate expels Sen. Katrina Robinson from legislature, a first for the chamber"](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2022/02/02/tennessee-senator-katrina-robinson-expelled-senate-over-fraud-charges/9204524002/). *[The Commercial Appeal](/source/The_Commercial_Appeal)*. February 2, 2022. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220204000935/https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2022/02/02/tennessee-senator-katrina-robinson-expelled-senate-over-fraud-charges/9204524002/) February 4, 2022 at the Wayback Machine.

1. McCall, Holly. ["Former senator Katrina Robinson sued for failure to pay fines over late disclosures"](https://tennesseelookout.com/briefs/former-senator-katrina-robinson-sued-for-failure-to-pay-fines-over-late-disclosures/). *[Tennessee Lookout](/source/States_Newsroom)*. Retrieved 7 April 2023.

## External links

- [Robinson official website](https://archive.today/20200730222112/http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/members/s33.html)
- [Katrina Robinson campaign website](https://archive.today/20200802225000/https://votekatrinarobinson.com/)
- [Katrina Robinson on Twitter](https://twitter.com/katrinafortn)
- [Department of Justice news release](https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/tennessee-state-senator-katrina-robinson-charged-criminal-complaint-theft-and)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Katrina Robinson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katrina_Robinson) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katrina_Robinson?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.