Grand Jury Finds Florida Administration Misappropriated $10 Million from Medicaid Settlement

A state grand jury concluded that the administration of Governor Ron DeSantis “misappropriated” $10 million of taxpayer money from a 2024 Medicaid settlement with Centene Corp. The funds were transferred to the Hope Florida Foundation—a nonprofit linked to First Lady Casey DeSantis—and then routed through two grant-making nonprofits to political action committees (PACs) and the Republican Party of Florida. The sealed report is dated January 28, 2026.

Tallahasee DemocratGrand jury finds DeSantis administration misused $10 million, no charges filed DeSantis’ team ‘misappropriated’ $10M meant for kids’ healthcare into political activities, grand jury finds The HillWKMG - ClickOrlandoDeSantis, Uthmeier denounce leaked Hope Florida report as political smear Florida grand jury says DeSantis administration misused $10M Medicaid settlement funds WPEC - CBS12.comWEAR TV - Pensacola NewsThe Guardian

The settlement stemmed from Centene’s alleged overbilling of Florida’s Medicaid program for low-income children, resulting in a $67 million agreement. Under the final terms, $57 million was to be returned to the state, while $10 million was designated for the Hope Florida Foundation, an initiative promoted by the governor’s wife to connect families with private and faith-based assistance. After the money reached the foundation’s account on October 4, 2024, it was divided into two $5 million grants to Secure Florida’s Future and Save Our Society From Drugs. Those organizations transferred about $8.5 million to Keep Florida Clean, a PAC chaired by James Uthmeier, then the governor’s chief of staff. Keep Florida Clean donated $7 million to the Republican Party of Florida and $1.23 million to the Florida Freedom Fund, which supported the campaign against Amendment 3, the 2024 ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana.

New RepublicWKMG - ClickOrlandoFlorida grand jury says DeSantis administration misused $10M Medicaid settlement funds Leaked Hope Florida grand jury report: State ‘misappropriated’ funds WEAR TV - Pensacola NewsWKMG - ClickOrlandoThe HillWPEC - CBS12.comGrand Jury Finds Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Administration Misappropriated $10 Million For His Wife’s Charity WGCU - NPR - Fort Myers

• Total Medicaid settlement: $67 million

The Guardian

• State’s share: $57 million

WKMG - ClickOrlando

• Amount sent to Hope Florida Foundation: $10 million

WGCU - NPR - Fort Myers

• Grants from Hope Florida: $5 million each to Secure Florida’s Future and Save Our Society From Drugs

New Republic

• Money funneled to Keep Florida Clean: $8.5 million (? $4.75 million from each grant)

WGCU - NPR - Fort Myers

• Subsequent disbursements: $7 million to the Republican Party of Florida; $1.23 million to the Florida Freedom Fund

WKMG - ClickOrlando

He framed the leak of the sealed report as the only criminal act. Attorney General Ashley Moody, now Florida’s attorney general, declined to comment on the substance of the report, citing confidentiality, but described the investigation as a politically motivated “witch hunt.” The grand jury recommended that future settlement proceeds be deposited directly into the state’s General Revenue Fund and that clear statutory requirements be established for nonprofit use of taxpayer-derived money.

WPEC - CBS12.com

Democratic leaders called the findings “blatant corruption.” State Senate Democratic Chair Nikki Fried urged the legislature to adopt stronger safeguards.

Florida Dems call for resignations amid Hope Florida leak, while DeSantis claims investigation was designed to ‘smear’ his wife

The administration characterized the $10 million transfer as a “donation” or “sweetener” to the Hope Florida initiative, arguing it was a private contribution separate from state funds. The grand jury, however, classified the money as “taxpayer reimbursement” that should have remained in the state’s coffers.

Florida grand jury says DeSantis administration misused $10M Medicaid settlement funds

The grand jury’s recommendations call on the Florida Legislature to enact a law requiring all settlement proceeds to be deposited into General Revenue and to impose tracking and penalty provisions for nonprofit use of public funds. Democratic candidates have pledged to pursue those reforms and to reopen the investigation if elected.

WGCU - NPR - Fort Myers