A state grand jury report has revealed that the administration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis improperly diverted Medicaid funds to a nonprofit, eventually channeling money into political committees supporting the governor’s agenda. Although findings indicated misappropriation, the report did not uncover sufficient grounds to pursue criminal charges.
The investigation highlighted that $10 million from a $67 million settlement in 2024 between Florida and Centene Corp., the state’s Medicaid vendor, was allocated to the Hope Florida Foundation. This organization is part of an initiative led by First Lady Casey DeSantis. The funds were then distributed equally to two nonprofit groups: Secure Florida’s Future and Save Our Society From Drugs. Shortly after, these groups transferred $8.5 million to Keep Florida Clean, a political action committee involving James Uthmeier, DeSantis’ chief of staff and later appointed Florida Attorney General.
Additionally, Keep Florida Clean allocated $9 million to the Republican Party of Florida and $1.23 million to the Florida Freedom Fund, a political committee chaired by Uthmeier. This committee aimed to oppose two ballot measures in November 2024: installing a right to abortion in the state constitution and legalizing recreational marijuana. Both measures failed to achieve the required 60 percent support.
The report indicated Uthmeier held authoritative influence over the settlement with Centene and involved himself in directing funds post-transfer to Hope Florida. However, witnesses refrained from identifying the person responsible for directing funds to Hope Florida, citing legal counsel advice as an impediment to criminal prosecution.
Attorney General’s office has yet to comment, though the grand jury’s conclusion underlined the misuse of taxpayer money for political purposes, urging legislative change to prevent recurrence.
A social media post from Alex Lanfranconi, communications director for DeSantis, labeled the CBS Miami story reporting the grand jury findings as a ‘baseless smear,’ further accusing any leak of the confidential report as the sole criminal act.
The grand jury report named Ashley Moody, the former attorney general who authorized the settlement agreement with Centene, facilitating the transfer to Hope Florida Foundation. Subsequently appointed to the U.S. Senate by DeSantis, Moody faces reelection alongside Uthmeier in November.
The grand jury inquiry began following investigations by Rep. Alex Andrade, who explored the issue as chair of the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee during the 2025 legislative session. Andrade alleged legal violations by Uthmeier and Jeff Aaron, ultimately declining to comment on the CBS Miami story.
Despite the probe, a shroud of secrecy persisted until CBS Miami published the findings. Republican leaders, including DeSantis, dismissed investigative queries, labeling them a ‘hoax’ pre-publication. Democratic figures reacted swiftly, with Sen. Tracie Davis condemning the reported abuses and planning legislative measures for future prevention. Meanwhile, Jacksonville Rep. Angie Nixon demanded Moody’s resignation.