Particle.news
Download on the App Store
6 ARTICLES
·
3w ago

Florida GOP Investigates Alleged Misuse of Medicaid Settlement Funds by Casey DeSantis' Foundation

Republican lawmakers are probing the Hope Florida Foundation's $10 million allocation as internal party divisions grow over campaign finance ethics and political influence.

Gov Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis have sometimes drawn headlines for flying on private jets owned by donors.
Republican presidential candidate Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his wife Casey DeSantis look on during a campaign stop on January 13, 2024, in Atlantic, Iowa.
Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis listens to Governor Ron DeSantis during a panel discussion at the 2024 Florida Children and Families Summit at the JW Marriott Grand Lakes in Orlando, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. The event hosted by the Florida Department of Children and Families has met annually since 1997 and runs through Friday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Image

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.