Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has now reportedly strongly denied any wrongdoing in connection with state funds directed to the Hope Florida Foundation, an initiative closely associated with First Lady Casey DeSantis.
The controversy, he says, is a politically motivated effort to undermine his administration.
The issue arose from a $67 million settlement Florida received from Centene, a healthcare company accused of Medicaid overbilling. Of that amount, $10 million was allocated to the Hope Florida Foundation.
The funds were later split into two $5 million grants to nonprofit organizations, which reportedly transferred $8.5 million to a political action committee that opposed marijuana legalization — a policy position supported by Casey DeSantis.
Critics have questioned whether the routing of state funds to organizations that engage in political advocacy constitutes an inappropriate use of taxpayer money.
The governor’s critics argue the process lacked transparency and may have blurred the lines between public programs and political activity.
DeSantis has dismissed the allegations as part of a broader campaign of politically motivated attacks, comparing them to the legal and political pressure faced by nominees during the Trump administration.
His communications director said the claims reflect the use of legal and political institutions to damage public figures who challenge establishment narratives.
There had been speculation about a potential investigation by the Leon County State Attorney’s Office into the matter.
However, DeSantis’s office has stated no such investigation is underway. A report that originally suggested Casey DeSantis was personally under investigation was later corrected after clarifications from the governor’s office.
State Representative Alex Andrade, who leads a legislative subcommittee on healthcare appropriations, confirmed he had looked into the matter and found no evidence of misconduct by the governor or the First Lady.
He said the inquiries he conducted were aimed at understanding how the funds were moved but did not uncover wrongdoing.
The governor’s office maintains that the Hope Florida Foundation operates independently and that its programs are meant to support vulnerable Floridians through partnerships with faith-based and community organizations.
DeSantis has also emphasized that the First Lady’s involvement is focused on charitable work, not political strategy.
As scrutiny continues, the administration remains adamant that the funding decisions followed proper procedures.
Supporters of DeSantis argue the controversy is an attempt to discredit his broader conservative agenda ahead of the 2026 political season, as he remains a prominent national figure in Republican politics.
[READ MORE: DeSantis Moves to Crack Down on Plague of Squatters in Florida]
