Overview

• Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez and other Republican lawmakers are investigating whether $10 million from a Medicaid settlement was improperly funneled through the Hope Florida Foundation for political purposes.
• The funds, managed by Casey DeSantis' foundation, were reportedly distributed to organizations that later contributed millions to oppose a marijuana legalization ballot initiative in 2024.
• Rep. Alex Andrade has alleged that Attorney General James Uthmeier personally directed nonprofit groups to request grants from Hope Florida, escalating scrutiny over the foundation's activities.
• Gov. Ron DeSantis has strongly defended his wife and the foundation, calling the allegations 'baseless smears' and highlighting Hope Florida's success in reducing welfare dependency and saving the state $100 million.
• The controversy has deepened existing GOP infighting, with lawmakers proposing legislation to restrict state employees from engaging in campaign fundraising during official hours.