The spotlight is once again on Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis and her signature Hope Florida initiative.
But this time it’s not for the program’s assistance to needy families.
And a state attorney opened an investigation into Casey DeSantis that left the Governor fuming.
DeSantis defends wife’s program amid criminal probe
Leon County State Attorney Jack Campbell is investigating records related to Hope Florida Foundation, a nonprofit linked to First Lady Casey DeSantis’ signature welfare program, his office confirmed Tuesday.
The news was first reported by the Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald, who received confirmation that requested records couldn’t be released because they were “part of an open, on-going investigation.”
The investigation appears to center on records provided by State Representative Alex Andrade (R-Pensacola), who wrapped up a House inquiry into a controversial $10 million payment to the foundation last month.
When asked about the investigation at a Hope, Florida promotional event in Tampa, Governor Ron DeSantis responded forcefully.
“Based on what?” DeSantis said. “Well, I can tell you this has been a very successful program … and I think everything that’s been thrown at it has been pure politics. … I believe in this program deeply, and I stand by it 100 percent.”
The governor suggested critics are targeting his wife’s initiative for political reasons, especially as she considers a potential run for governor in 2026 when her husband’s term ends.
“Everything that’s been thrown at it is pure politics. And I don’t think it’s appropriate to be doing politics, whether it’s a congressional or a state committee or any of these other things,” the governor added.
Money trail raised red flags for lawmakers
At the center of the controversy is $10 million that the Hope Florida Foundation received as part of a $67 million legal settlement that Centene, Florida’s largest Medicaid managed-care company, reached last fall with the Agency for Health Care Administration.
What happened next raised alarms for Andrade, who chairs the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee.
After receiving the money, the foundation quickly gave two $5 million grants to other nonprofits – Secure Florida’s Future (tied to the Florida Chamber of Commerce) and Save our Society from Drugs.
Within days, those groups contributed $8.5 million to Keep Florida Clean, a political committee headed by James Uthmeier, who was then serving as DeSantis’ chief of staff and is now Florida’s attorney general.
The political committee used the funds to fight Amendment 3, a ballot measure that would have legalized recreational marijuana in Florida.Â
The amendment failed in the November election.
Andrade, himself a Republican attorney, has publicly accused Uthmeier and Jeff Aaron, a lawyer who represents the foundation with close ties to the DeSantis administration, of violating the law with the settlement and subsequent grants.
“I’m convinced that crimes occurred and I believe those engaged in public corruption should face justice,” Andrade told reporters.
DeSantis team pushes back hard
The governor’s team has strongly rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing.
Jeremy Redfern, a spokesman for Attorney General Uthmeier, responded on social media that “we aren’t aware of and haven’t received any inquiries from the state attorney. Looks like more lawfare driven by the fake news media and those politically motivated to hurt Governor Ron DeSantis.”
We aren’t aware of and haven’t received any inquiries from the state attorney.
Looks like more lawfare driven by the fake news media and those politically motivated to hurt @GovRonDeSantis. https://t.co/AOZJzhRlq8
— Jeremy Redfern (@JeremyRedfernFL) May 20, 2025
Last month, when news of the House investigation broke, both Uthmeier and Aaron blasted the accusations, with Aaron even raising the possibility of filing a defamation lawsuit.
The DeSantis administration maintains that the $10 million was a donation from Centene, not part of the official settlement.
Casey DeSantis defends program’s mission
Casey DeSantis appeared alongside her husband at Tuesday’s event in Tampa, where she defended the program she created in 2021.
“This is not about politics,” the First Lady said. “This is about doing good on behalf of the people who deserve a chance for someone to fight for them.”
Hope Florida uses state employees as “Hope navigators” to connect those in need with social services provided by nonprofits, including churches.
As rumors swirl about her potential gubernatorial bid in 2026, Casey DeSantis told the crowd she’s not rushing to make a decision.
“I’ve got to save the Free State, but we literally just went through an election cycle, right? We’re 100 days into the presidency. And you talk to a lot of people around the state, and they are so tired of politics,” the First Lady said.
Deeper investigation underway
Andrade confirmed he turned over all documents his committee gathered to both the State Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Justice.
“From my perspective, I’m confident that a crime occurred, public corruption occurred,” he said, “and that James Uthmeier committed money laundering and wire fraud. I’m confident enough to say that publicly.”
While Campbell, a Democrat who has served as state attorney since 2017, wouldn’t directly comment on the investigation, his office’s confirmation of the “open, on-going investigation” suggests the probe is active.
As state attorney for the 2nd Judicial Circuit, Campbell is responsible for prosecuting crimes in six counties, including Leon County, which encompasses Tallahassee, the state capital.
The criminal investigation could create complications for Casey DeSantis if she decides to seek the governor’s office in 2026, though no one involved in the investigation has suggested she personally engaged in any wrongdoing.
