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Florida Scoop · Aug 28, 2026

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Florida Grand Jury Finds $10 Million In Taxpayer Money Misappropriated Through Hope Florida A Leon County grand jury found that $10 million in taxpayer money was “misappropriated” after it was diverted from a Medicaid settlement into Hope Florida, the charity championed by First Lady Casey DeSantis, and later used for political purposes. The money came from a 2024 settlement with Medicaid contractor Centene over overbilling tied to children’s health coverage. Instead of going back to the state, $10 million was steered to the Hope Florida Foundation, then quickly moved through other groups and into political committees, including Keep Florida Clean, which helped fight the 2024 marijuana legalization amendment. The grand jury called it part of a “sophisticated scheme to fund political activities.” It also said then-chief of staff James Uthmeier was in a position of authority over the settlement, and that then-Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office knew about the diversion plan. No one was charged. The report said nobody took responsibility for sending the $10 million to Hope Florida, and jurors found insufficient evidence to prosecute a specific person. Gov. Ron DeSantis said no laws were broken and that the leak of the sealed report is what should face consequences. Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly is calling for the probe to be reopened. Florida Scoop’s Take: The grand jury said the money was misused. It also said it could not prove who made the call. That gap is now the story.

*Florida Grand Jury Finds $10 Million In Taxpayer Money Misappropriated Through Hope Florida* A Leon County grand jury found that $10 million in taxpayer money was “misappropriated” after it was diverted from a Medicaid settlement into Hope Florida, the charity championed by First Lady Casey DeSantis, and later used for political purposes. The money came from a 2024 settlement with Medicaid contractor Centene over overbilling tied to children’s health coverage. Instead of going back to the state, $10 million was steered to the Hope Florida Foundation, then quickly moved through other groups and into political committees, including Keep Florida Clean, which helped fight the 2024 marijuana legalization amendment. The grand jury called it part of a “sophisticated scheme to fund political activities.” It also said then-chief of staff James Uthmeier was in a position of authority over the settlement, and that then-Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office knew about the diversion plan. No one was charged. The report said nobody took responsibility for sending the $10 million to Hope Florida, and jurors found insufficient evidence to prosecute a specific person. Gov. Ron DeSantis said no laws were broken and that the leak of the sealed report is what should face consequences. Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly is calling for the probe to be reopened. *Florida Scoop’s Take:* The grand jury said the money was misused. It also said it could not prove who made the call. That gap is now the story.

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