Hope Florida: Gov. Ron and Lady DeSantis' Scheme to Defraud Taxpayers*

Where Did Florida's $10 Million in Medicaid Funds Go?

In 2023, $10M from a $67M Medicaid fraud settlement was steered to First Lady Casey DeSantis's nonprofit, Hope Florida - bypassing state oversight and raising serious legal and ethical concerns.

What Was the Centene Settlement All About?

• Centene, FL's largest Medicaid provider, agreed to a $67M settlement with AHCA.

• Reason: Centene's pharmacy benefits manager failed to pass savings to Florida.

• Normally, this money would go to the state's Medicaid program for healthcare needs.

Instead of Healthcare...$10M Went Here

• In Sept. 2023, $10M was directed from AHCA straight to Hope Florida, run by the First Lady.

→Hope Florida Foundation had no prior staff, reporting systems, or proper oversight.

→Rep. Andrade called this move "potentially illegal."

How $10M Became a Political Weapon

•$10M to Hope Florida

→ Split into 2 grants ($5M each)

→ To: Secure Florida's Future (FL Chamber) + Save Our Society from Drugs

→ $8.5M went to "Keep Florida Clean" PAC (fighting Amendment 3)

→ Controlled by Ron DeSantis's inner circle (AG Uthmeier)

The Same People Who Preach Accountability...

While Gov. DeSantis calls for fighting fraud and waste, his administration funneled Medicaid money-intended for low-income Floridians-into a political war chest. Advocates for healthcare expansion are right to be outraged.

Red Flags Raise Legal Questions

• No transparency on how funds were used.

• Foundation Chair admitted he got no training and waived attorney-client privilege.

• AHCA & DCF officials couldn't explain the grant process.

Why Every Floridian Should Care

• Medicaid funds meant for healthcare were used for political influence.

• No real accountability or oversight of Hope Florida.

• Undermines public trust in state agencies.

• Sets a dangerous precedent for politicizing public dollars.

What's Next?

On Thursday, April 24th House lawmakers scheduled a hearing to speak directly to the entities who received the funds. After representative for each entity failed to attend the subcommittee decided to close their investigation with a statement from Rep. Alex Andrade: While I'm firmly convinced that James Uthmeier and Jeff Aaron engaged in a conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud, and that several parties played a role in the misuse of $10 million in Medicaid funds, we as legislators will not be the ones making the ultimate charging decisions.

We're Watching. You Should Be Too.

• Follow us for updates on the investigation.

• Contact your legislators.

• Demand transparency and oversight for public funds.

*allegedly