Florida Grand Jury: DeSantis Administration "Misappropriated" $10 Million

A state grand jury has determined that the DeSantis administration "misappropriated" $10 million in taxpayer money. The funds were diverted from a Medicaid settlement into the Hope Florida Foundation, which the jury described as "part of a sophisticated scheme to fund political activities."

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part of a sophisticated scheme to fund political activities

The report, obtained by CBS News Miami, states that the money, originally intended for health insurance for low-income children, was quickly funneled through various organizations. It ultimately landed in the accounts of two political action committees and the Republican Party of Florida. These entities then allegedly used the funds in 2024 to campaign against Amendment 3, a citizen initiative to legalize marijuana in the state.

Despite finding that the money was misused, the grand jury concluded there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges. The report noted, "Nobody will take responsibility for deciding the $10 million of taxpayer money would go to Hope Florida… or had any memory of who made it."

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Despite our finding that the money was misappropriated, we find insufficient evidence to charge anyone criminally. Nobody will take responsibility for deciding the $10 million of taxpayer money would go to Hope Florida… or had any memory of who made it.

While acknowledging this lack of proof for criminal prosecution, the grand jury emphasized, "We can plainly see that taxpayer money was misused for political purposes and we would like to see changes made to prevent this from happening again."

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We recognize that this would be an impediment to criminal prosecution. While we can't prove who is responsible, we can plainly see that taxpayer money was misused for political purposes and we would like to see changes made to prevent this from happening again.

The report identified James Uthmeier, the state's current attorney general and former Chief of Staff to the Governor, as central to the activity surrounding the transfer. Testimony suggested Uthmeier was involved in directing the money after it reached Hope Florida, and his political action committee, Keep Florida Clean, was a primary recipient of the funds. The grand jury also indicated that Ashley Moody, the attorney general at the time, was aware of the diversion plan and authorized her deputy to sign the settlement agreement without sufficient due diligence.

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We find that James Uthmeier, as the Governor's Chief of Staff at the time of settlement, was in a position of authority over those involved in settling … Testimony identified him as having involvement in directing the money after it went to Hope Florida. Testimony also revealed that Mr. Uthmeier's Keep Florida Clean, a political action committee, was the prime recipient of the majority of the $10 million taxpayer funds.