A state grand jury determined that $10 million from a Centene Medicaid settlement was “misappropriated” under Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, according to a Jan. 28 sealed document obtained by CBS News Miami.
Despite the findings, the document said the grand jury lacked evidence to bring criminal charges.
The settlement stemmed from claims of overbilling for pharmacy services. Other states had already reached settlements with Centene when the insurer ultimately offered Florida $67 million in 2023.
The following year, Florida agreed that Centene would pay $57 million to the state, while $10 million would go to the Hope Florida Foundation, tied to Florida’s first lady, Casey DeSantis. Florida Chief Deputy Attorney General John Guard, Agency for Healthcare Administration Secretary Jason Weida, Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky and Department of Health Chief of Staff Cassandra Pasley — their positions at the time — signed the agreement, the document said.
The grand jury found those funds went toward lobbying efforts opposing marijuana legalization in the state. The nonprofits Save Our Society from Drugs and Secure Florida’s Future, the latter having connections to the chamber of commerce, applied for $5 million grants from Hope Florida. According to the document, both applications said the organizations did not partake in political activities. Each organization received a grant.
Shortly after the transfers, though, Secure Florida’s Future sent most of that amount to Keep Florida Clean, the political action committee chaired by James Uthmeier, former general counsel and chief of staff to the governor and current Florida attorney general. Save Our Society from Drugs did the same. The PAC sent money to another PAC chaired by Mr. Uthmeier, as well as the Republican Party of Florida.
The grand jury called on Florida lawmakers to pass a law preventing this kind of allocation going forward.
“This baseless smear has been debunked over and over again,” Mr. DeSantis’ communications director told Becker’s. “In fact, if any confidential grand jury report was leaked to the press, that’s the only crime committed.”
The document said that “nobody will take responsibility for deciding the $10 million of taxpayer money would go to Hope Florida.”
“While we can’t prove who is responsible, we can plainly see that taxpayer money was misused for political purposes and we would like to see changes made to prevent this from happening again,” the grand jury document said.
Becker’s contacted Centene and will update this story if more information becomes available.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
