Florida grand jury finds DeSantis administration misused $10 million, but files no charges

A Florida grand jury concluded that Ron DeSantis’ administration misappropriated $10 million in taxpayer money, yet no one will face criminal charges because investigators could not determine who ordered the transfer.

The money came from a state Medicaid settlement intended to help poor children obtain health insurance. It was directed instead to Hope Florida, a charity founded in 2021 by Florida first lady Casey DeSantis. From there, the funds moved to political action committees that campaigned against a 2024 statewide proposal to legalize marijuana for adults. DeSantis opposed the measure, which narrowly failed to reach the 60% supermajority required for passage.

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Despite our finding that the money was misappropriated, we find insufficient evidence to charge anyone criminally.

The Leon County grand jury completed its report in January. It said no official accepted responsibility for sending the money to the charity, and those involved claimed they could not remember who made the decision. “Despite our finding that the money was misappropriated, we find insufficient evidence to charge anyone criminally,” the report concluded.

The panel said the lack of a clearly identified decision-maker blocked a criminal prosecution. It nevertheless called for safeguards, writing: “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.”

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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, DeSantis’ chief of staff at the time, as being in a position of authority over those involved in the settlement. It also said his Keep Florida Clean PAC received most of the $10 million. The grand jury said then-state Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office knew about plans to divert the money. Moody was later appointed by DeSantis to the U.S. Senate, while she and Uthmeier are both seeking reelection.

DeSantis did not dispute the report’s authenticity, but said no laws had been broken and warned that whoever leaked the sealed documents would face “consequences.” Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly called for the investigation to be reopened. DeSantis cannot seek a third term under Florida law.

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Consequences