A former employee of the City of Fruitland Park has been taken into custody following allegations that she improperly utilized the municipality's tax-exempt status for personal gain. The investigation revealed that thousands of dollars in personal purchases were made while avoiding required sales tax payments.

Arrest of Former City Official

Christee Michelle Yoder, 49, who previously served as the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Fruitland Park, was arrested on March 19, 2026. Yoder, a resident of Tavares, had been employed by the city for 13 years.

Details of the Alleged Fraud

The investigation was a joint effort involving the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Florida Department of Revenue, and the Fruitland Park Police Department. Authorities focused on Yoder's alleged misuse of the city’s tax-exempt Amazon business account.

It is alleged that between 2021 and 2026, Yoder used this official account to procure personal items, thereby circumventing sales tax obligations. Investigators noted that while Yoder used her personal credit card for payment, the purchases were processed through the city’s tax-exempt portal, which is reserved exclusively for official government expenditures.

Scope of Financial Misconduct

FDLE findings indicate that Yoder purchased over $24,000 worth of personal merchandise using this method between May 2021 and February 2026. The resulting unpaid sales tax was calculated to be approximately $1,580.

When factoring in a mandatory 200 percent penalty, officials determined the total amount owed by Yoder to be $4,730. Yoder is formally charged with a single count of fraudulent claim of exemption.

Legal Proceedings Initiated

Following the conclusion of the investigation, FDLE agents secured an arrest warrant for Yoder on March 19, 2026. Yoder subsequently surrendered herself to authorities at the Lake County Jail later that same day.

The case has been referred to the Office of the State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit for prosecution. Authorities have confirmed that the investigation into the matter remains ongoing.

Investigation Trigger

The probe into Yoder’s conduct began in November 2025. This action was prompted by initial complaints alleging that Yoder was improperly utilizing the city’s Consumer’s Certificate of Exemption for unauthorized purposes.