The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced on March 30 the arrest of Christee Michelle Yoder, a former Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Fruitland Park, on a charge related to fraudulent claims of sales tax exemption.
Authorities said the case is significant because it involves alleged misuse of public resources by a city official over several years.
According to investigators, Yoder used the City of Fruitland Park’s Consumer’s Certificate of Exemption while making personal purchases through the city’s Amazon business account. Officials allege that she used her personal credit card for these transactions but evaded payment of sales tax by improperly applying the city’s exemption status. The investigation found that between May 2021 and February 2026, Yoder made more than $24,000 in personal purchases without paying required sales taxes totaling $1,580. Authorities calculated an additional mandatory penalty amounting to $4,730.
The joint investigation began in November 2025 after complaints were received regarding potential misuse of the city’s certificate. The Florida Department of Revenue and Fruitland Park Police Department assisted FDLE agents in this effort. On March 19, law enforcement obtained an arrest warrant for Yoder; she surrendered at Lake County Jail later that day.
The Office of the State Attorney for Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit is prosecuting this case. Officials say the investigation remains active.
