Grand Jury: DeSantis Team Misappropriated $10 Million in Hope Florida Case
A Florida grand jury found that Medicaid settlement funds meant for poor children's health care were diverted to defeat a marijuana legalization measure, but concluded no one could be criminally charged.
A sealed Florida grand jury report obtained by CBS News Miami found that the DeSantis administration "misappropriated" $10 million from a Medicaid settlement, diverting money intended to provide health insurance for poor children into the Hope Florida Foundation as part of what the panel called "a sophisticated scheme to fund political activities."
The grand jury said the funds were quickly passed through multiple organizations before landing in the accounts of two political action committees and the Republican Party of Florida, which used the money in 2024 to help defeat a citizen initiative to legalize marijuana.
"Despite our finding that the money was misappropriated, we find insufficient evidence to charge anyone criminally," the report concluded, adding that no one would take responsibility for the decision or recall who made it.
The grand jury identified state Attorney General James Uthmeier, who was Gov. Ron DeSantis's chief of staff at the time of the settlement, as central to the effort. Testimony indicated he was involved in directing the money after it reached Hope Florida, and that his political committee, Keep Florida Clean, received the bulk of the $10 million.
The panel also found that then-Attorney General Ashley Moody, now a U.S. senator, was aware of the plan and authorized her chief deputy, John Guard, to sign the settlement without proper due diligence. Guard, now a state appellate judge, said such settlement requests were routine and declined to comment further, citing Florida law on grand jury secrecy.
Neither Moody, DeSantis nor Uthmeier testified before the grand jury. DeSantis has called the matter a "hoax," saying this week he was "very happy with how everything was done," while Uthmeier has dismissed it as a "nothingburger" and denied any criminal wrongdoing.
The report, filed under seal in Leon County in January, has remained hidden for seven months amid closed court proceedings that a source says are being driven by individuals named in it, including Uthmeier. The Florida Center for Government Accountability has asked to intervene in the case to push for the report's release; that request is pending. The grand jury said officials appeared to exploit the chaos of Hurricanes Helene and Milton to obscure the fund diversion. Both Uthmeier and Moody are up for election in November.
This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), in accordance with our editorial policy.
