Video courtesy of the Office of Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia. To watch video, click here or above. 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- Today, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced the arrests of Tamesha Smith and Amanda Tyson, after they received fraudulent reimbursements from the Step Up for Students Scholarship program. This program is administered through the Florida Department of Education and allows parents of approved students to receive funding for educational and therapeutic needs.  The Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division (CID) arrested these criminals after defrauding the scholarship program over $21,000.

Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said, “Those who try to manipulate scholarship programs aren’t only breaking the law, they are stealing opportunities from families and hardworking students wanting to strengthen their future. Florida scholarships are not a personal bank account; my office will continue to protect the taxpayers and ensure that greedy criminals are put behind bars.”

The CID Office of Fiscal Integrity discovered that Smith altered 12 receipts for tuition and training reimbursements after her son was withdrawn from school. This resulted in $13,390 being fraudulently obtained from the scholarship program.

Additionally, CID investigators revealed that Tyson altered receipts for nine reimbursement requests and forged a doctor’s note for her child to be eligible for the scholarship. Ultimately, she swindled $7,591.58 from the program that she was not legally entitled to.

Tamesha Smith was arrested on May 5, 2026. She has been charged with grand theft, organized scheme to defraud, uttering a forged instrument, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. 

Amanda Tyson was arrested on May 4, 2026. She has been charged with grand theft, organized scheme to defraud, uttering a forged instrument, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.  

The Department of Financial Services encourages anyone with knowledge of fraud to report it at FraudFreeFlorida.com | Florida Department of Financial Services.