Overview
- The Leon County grand jury completed a sealed presentment in January 2026 that concluded $10 million from a state Medicaid settlement was routed to the Hope Florida charity and then to political committees opposing the 2024 marijuana legalization measure.
- The report said jurors could ‘‘plainly see’’ taxpayer money was misused for political purposes but recommended no criminal indictments because witnesses would not identify who authorized the transfers and legal‑advice defenses impeded prosecution.
- The presentment identified James Uthmeier as being in a position of authority over those involved and said the attorney general’s office at the time had knowledge of the diversion plans while naming Keep Florida Clean PAC as a primary recipient.
- Gov. Ron DeSantis, Uthmeier and Senator Ashley Moody have denied wrongdoing and condemned the leak, while the leak’s publication by CBS News Miami has drawn official threats of consequences for the leaker.
- Both major‑party gubernatorial nominees pressed for reform and the grand jury recommended routing settlement proceeds to the state general revenue fund, tighter tracking of state‑linked nonprofit spending, and enforcement tools to prevent future diversions.