In a growing controversy, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is under fire regarding the allocation of $10 million in state funds, prompting questions about potential misuse tied to political campaigning.
During his tenure as governor, DeSantis has enjoyed robust support from the Republican-controlled legislature.
However, recent developments have seen some Republican lawmakers in the state House of Representatives calling for a criminal investigation into the situation.
The allegations stem from a $67 million settlement paid to Florida by Centene, a managed-care company, after accusations of overbilling taxpayers for medications.
Out of this settlement, $10 million was paid directly to Hope Florida, a non-profit established by DeSantis’ wife, Casey DeSantis, aimed at helping people transition off government assistance and into community-based programs.
Investigations conducted by state lawmakers revealed that Hope Florida subsequently transferred the $10 million to two so-called ‘dark money’ political groups, which are not required to disclose their donors.
These groups then contributed approximately $8.5 million to a political committee that actively campaigned against an amendment proposing the legalization of recreational marijuana in Florida, which was managed by DeSantis’ then chief of staff, James Uthmeier, who is now the state attorney general.
Republican Representative Alex Andrade expressed concerns that this course of action may have violated state law.
At a recent hearing, Andrade remarked, “There’s no question that these were Medicaid funds, steered by the Governor’s chief of staff through secret and clandestine actions to his own political committee.”
Despite the investigation not directly targeting him, DeSantis was a prominent figure in the campaign that led to the defeat of the marijuana initiative.
In response to the accusations, DeSantis has strongly denied any wrongdoing from his administration, asserting in multiple news conferences that the allegations are unfounded.
“The whole thing that the House leadership is doing is a manufactured fraud,” he exclaimed during an appearance in Fort Myers.
He further characterized the situation as a “hoax,” aimed at tarnishing what he claims is one of the most effective programs in the country.
Tensions have escalated between DeSantis and Republican leaders in the legislature, particularly given their frustration over the Governor’s failure to inform them about the $67 million settlement or the subsequent allocation of funds to the charity managed by his wife.
State House Speaker Daniel Perez responded to DeSantis’ comments, describing them as a “temper tantrum” and asserting that the House will not be intimidated.
Additionally, James Uthmeier, Florida’s attorney general and former chief of staff to DeSantis, finds himself embroiled in the controversy as well.
According to the House investigation, Uthmeier was the architect behind the suggestion to redirect part of the settlement money to the groups resisting the marijuana amendment.
Uthmeier denies the allegations, stating, “I was not involved in the settlement negotiations related to the Hope Florida contribution,” and maintained that the funds in question were not Medicaid dollars.
He referred to the $10 million as a “sweetener,” an additional figure provided by Centene beyond the primary Medicaid settlement.
Representative Andrade, however, dismisses this characterization as a thin legal argument, asserting, “Ten million dollars is a lot of money. In the real world, if someone defrauded the state or a charity of ten million dollars, they would go to prison.”
Andrade states that his investigation is complete, placing the decision to pursue criminal charges in the hands of federal prosecutors.
He has been in communication with the Department of Justice, while the U.S. Attorney’s office in Florida’s Northern District has chosen not to comment on the matter.
Regardless of the outcome regarding criminal charges, Casey DeSantis has been notably affected by this investigation.
She has been accompanying her husband on public appearances and appears to be gearing up for her own gubernatorial run.
In parallel, President Trump has already endorsed another candidate in the upcoming race, Republican Congressman Byron Donalds.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/2025/04/24/nx-s1-5368535/ron-desantis-florida-governor-political-scandal
