Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kari Lynn Adams, 51, of Micanopy, has been sentenced to one year and seven days in state prison, followed by 13 years of probation, after pleading to grand theft over $20,000. She is also required to pay restitution of over $139,000.

Adams was arrested on March 22, 2024, and charged with making unauthorized personal expenses on credit cards belonging to her employer, the Hampton Inn in Alachua, along with giving herself unauthorized bonuses.

According to the arrest report, “Adams treated herself to lavish dining experiences all over the state of Florida, spending over $2,800 just within 2022 alone.” She also allegedly spent over $33,000 at Bass Pro Shops, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sam’s, Lowes, Northern Tool Online, Ace Hardware, Home Depot, and Rural King.

Adams entered an open plea to grand theft over $20,000 in exchange for a fraud charge being dropped; according to the plea agreement, the maximum sentence for the charges is 15 years in state prison. Judge David Kreider sentenced her to one year and seven days in state prison, followed by 13 years of probation. She was ordered to pay restitution of $100,000 to an insurance company and $39,436 to her employer.