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Politics

Florida grand jury report finds DeSantis administration misappropriated $10 million from Medicaid settlement

A sealed report alleges state officials diverted funds intended for healthcare into political action committees opposing a 2024 marijuana ballot measure, though prosecutors found insufficient evidence for criminal charges.

Updated Aug 26, 2026 · 23:18 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • A sealed Florida grand jury report obtained by reporters found that $10 million from a $67 million Centene Medicaid settlement was diverted through the Hope Florida Foundation into political action committees fighting a 2024 marijuana legalization initiative.
  • Grand jurors concluded that taxpayer money was misappropriated for political purposes, but noted there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges because no official claimed responsibility or recalled directing the funds to the charity.
  • Top Florida officials, including Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier, denied wrongdoing and characterized the allegations as unfounded, while pointing to grand jury secrecy laws.

Key facts

  • A state grand jury report concluded the DeSantis administration misappropriated $10 million from a $67 million Medicaid overbilling settlement with health care company Centene.[CBS News]
  • The report states the $10 million was routed to the Hope Florida Foundation and subsequently transferred to political action committees, including Attorney General James Uthmeier's Keep Florida Clean PAC, and the Republican Party of Florida to oppose 2024's Amendment 3.[CBS News]
  • The grand jury determined there was insufficient evidence for criminal charges because state officials and witnesses gave conflicting testimony or could not recall who ordered the funds sent to Hope Florida.[CBS News]
  • Governor Ron DeSantis stated he was not involved in the settlement agreement, called the matter a hoax, and expressed satisfaction with how the settlement was executed.[CBS News]
  • Attorney General James Uthmeier emphasized that he was not indicted, targeted, or involved in criminal activity, noting that grand jury proceedings are confidential by state law.[CBS News]

What remains uncertain

  • The precise identity of the official who made the final decision to direct the $10 million settlement portion to Hope Florida remains undetermined due to lack of documentation and conflicting witness recollections.[CBS News]
  • The status of legal proceedings to formally unseal the grand jury report filed in Leon County Circuit Court remains pending.[CBS News]

Sources