PoliticsJuly 14, 2026

misappropriation

/ˌmɪsəˌproʊpriˈeɪʃən/

Definition

The illegal or dishonest use of funds or property that were entrusted to someone for a specific purpose, often for personal gain.

Etymology

Derived from the prefix 'mis-' (wrongly) and the Latin 'appropriare' (to make one's own). It entered English in the 17th century to denote the wrongful taking or diversion of something.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe how an accused fraudster allegedly treated a nonprofit's funds meant for special-needs clients as a 'personal piggy bank.' This highlights the breach of trust involved in the embezzlement of these assets.

Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 7.14.26

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