Florida Prosecutors Investigate $10M Hope Florida Charity Linked to Casey DeSantis

Prosecutors in Leon County, Florida, have launched a criminal investigation into the Hope Florida Foundation, a charity linked to First Lady Casey DeSantis, after it transferred $10 million from a state Medicaid settlement to political committees supporting Governor Ron DeSantis' agenda. The investigation follows allegations by House Republicans that the DeSantis administration improperly diverted these funds through the foundation, which was created to support the Hope Florida program aimed at connecting residents with private nonprofit assistance rather than government aid. Governor DeSantis has strongly defended the program and the foundation, calling the investigation politically motivated and asserting his full support for Hope Florida. Records related to the investigation are exempt from public release due to the ongoing nature of the probe, and details remain unclear. The probe could impact Casey DeSantis’ potential gubernatorial candidacy, as she is considered a possible contender for governor after her husband reaches his term limit. This situation highlights tensions between political actors in Florida and raises questions about the proper use of settlement funds and nonprofit organizations tied to political figures.