“The scheme defunded healthcare services for poor children to instead advance the political agenda of Gov. Ron DeSantis.”
By Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix
Florida Democrats went on the offensive Thursday against Republican leaders after the release of a blistering statewide grand jury report that found $10 million in Medicaid funds were “misappropriated” and wound up being used for “political activities.”
That report—obtained by CBS Miami and posted on its website—did not result in anyone getting charged but blasted several top state officials, including Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) and Jason Weida, now chief of staff to Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).
The report also says U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL), the former state attorney general, knew about the $10 million transfer of Medicaid funds from a $67 million drug overpricing settlement to the Hope Florida Foundation.
The foundation “quickly funneled” the money to two non-profit groups that wound up directing some of the money to a campaign against an effort to legalize recreational marijuana.
The probe originated after the Republican-controlled House held hearings in the spring of 2025 amid speculation that First Lady Casey DeSantis—who started the Hope Florida initiative—might run for governor. Rep. Alex Andrade, a Pensacola Republican, turned over
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