Grand Jury: DeSantis Admin Misappropriated $10M Medicaid Settlement
A Florida grand jury concluded that $10 million from a Medicaid settlement was misappropriated to fund political campaigns, but said it lacked enough evidence to charge anyone with a crime.
- $10 million flowed from a Centene Medicaid overbilling settlement to the Hope Florida Foundation.
- $8.5 million ultimately reached Keep Florida Clean, a PAC James Uthmeier chaired.
- $7 million then went to the Republican Party of Florida to oppose Amendment 3.
- The report was dated January 28, 2026 and remained sealed for roughly seven months.
Why it matters: The report names current Attorney General James Uthmeier and former Attorney General Ashley Moody, now a U.S. senator, as central to the money's movement.
- Uthmeier contacted Save Our Society from Drugs on October 11, 2024, advising them to apply for a Hope Florida grant; the group received $5 million and transferred $4.75 million to his PAC within a week.
- The grand jury called then-deputy chief of staff Katie Strickland "not credible" and the least informative witness.
How 28 sources split on this story
Where they split: The core dispute is whether the findings constitute a meaningful scandal or, as DeSantis and Uthmeier argue, a politically motivated leak with no criminal substance.
Center coverage, 12 sources: The center presents the grand jury's findings straightforwardly, noting the misappropriation conclusion alongside the lack of criminal charges and quoting both critics and officials.
Associated Press9hFlorida grand jury finds DeSantis administration misused $10 million, but no charges filedCNCTV News8hFlorida grand jury finds DeSantis administration misused US$10 million, but no charges filedIBTIBTimes8hA Grandy Jury Found Florida Misappropriated Funds Sent To Charity. It Was Run By The Governor's Wife.KSAKSAT 12 San Antonio9hFlorida grand jury finds DeSantis administration misused $10 million, but no charges filedNewNews4Jax9hFlorida grand jury finds DeSantis administration misused $10 million, but no charges filed
Newsweek13hNixon hits hard as GOP rival linked to $10M Florida scandal—What polls show
The Hill4hGrand jury: DeSantis admin ‘misappropriated’ tax dollars in Hope Florida scandalWNCWFLA News Channel 88hGrand jury finds $10 million misappropriated to Hope Florida; Republicans push backWLWPLG Local 109hFlorida grand jury finds DeSantis administration misused $10 million, but no charges filedWPWPXI Pittsburgh9hFlorida grand jury finds DeSantis administration misused $10 million, but no charges filedYNYahoo News9hFlorida grand jury finds DeSantis administration misused $10 million, but no charges filedLeft coverage, 9 sources: The left frames this as a coordinated scheme by DeSantis administration insiders to secretly weaponize taxpayer money for partisan politics, with the sealed report's delay itself treated as part of the cover-up.
Raw Story4hJen Psaki pinpoints glaring 'red flag' in GOP charity scandal: 'Too far-fetched'TBTTampa Bay Times9hDemocrats bank on leaked Hope Florida report shaking up electionsDKDaily Kos11hRon DeSantis, Medicaid fraudster?
MSNBC7hGrand jury finds DeSantis administration used ‘sophisticated scheme’ to misuse tax dollars
Political Wire13hDeSantis Administration Misspent $10 Million
The Independent11hDeSantis’ team ‘misappropriated’ $10M meant for kids’ healthcare into political activities, grand jury findsTNRThe New Republic1dGrand Jury Says DeSantis “Misused” $10 Million in Medicaid Funds
The New York Times13hDeSantis Administration Misspent $10 Million, Grand Jury SaysTruTruthout9hJury Finds DeSantis Admin Diverted $10M Marked for Poor Children to GOP CoffersRight coverage, 7 sources: The right emphasizes that no criminal charges were recommended and highlights Uthmeier's argument that the leaked report itself is the only confirmed legal violation.
Washington Examiner14hDeSantis administration misappropriated $10 million in Hope Florida debacle: Grand jury
New York Post13hDeSantis admin 'misappropriated' $10M to Hope Florida, leaked grand jury report concludes
Just the News3hFlorida Dems call for Uthmeier, Moody resignations, saying that funds were misappropriated
Newsmax7hFlorida Grand Jury Finds DeSantis Admin Misused $10 MillionTCThe Capitolist10hDavid Jolly Pledges to Reopen Hope Florida Investigation; Democrats Seek ResignationsTCSThe Center Square9hFlorida Democrats call for Uthmeier, Moody resignations
The Washington Times9hFlorida grand jury finds DeSantis administration misused $10 million, but no charges filedWhat’s next: The grand jury urged the legislature to require all state funds go to the general revenue fund.
- Uthmeier said Florida law bars him from confirming the report's authenticity.
- Who ultimately decided to route the $10 million to Hope Florida, and whether that person can ever be identified.
- How CBS Miami obtained the sealed report, and whether the leak itself will result in legal action.
- Whether any legislative changes will be enacted, and on what timeline.