A developing political scandal in Florida has Gov. Ron DeSantis on the defensive
Fla. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is on the defensive over questions about how $10 million in state money came to be used to fund a political campaign.
In two terms as governor, DeSantis has enjoyed strong support from the Republican-controlled legislature. But now, Republicans in the state House of Representatives say the alleged misuse of funds may warrant a criminal investigation.
The allegations involve $10 million that was paid to Florida by Centene, a company that provides managed care to Medicaid recipients. The money was part of a $67 million settlement by the company after it was charged with overbilling taxpayers for medications. Ten million dollars of the settlement was paid directly to a non-profit group, Hope Florida. That's a charity founded by Gov. DeSantis' wife, Casey, to help people move off government assistance into community-based programs.
An investigation by state lawmakers found that after receiving it, Hope Florida transferred the $10 million to two "dark money" political groups — groups that aren't required to disclose their donors. The two groups then sent some $8.5 million to a political committee that was campaigning against an amendment to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. It was a group controlled by DeSantis' then-chief of staff, now Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Alex Andrade, say they believe that transaction was illegal.
https://www.npr.org/2025/04/24/nx-s1-5368535/ron-desantis-florida-governor-political-scandal
Note who is saying this is illegal. NOT Democrats, REPUBLICANS!
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