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Casey DeSantis Defends Hope Florida Program as Federal Scrutiny Looms

The Florida First Lady rejected allegations of financial misconduct in a $10 million Medicaid settlement while questions grow about her future political ambitions.

First Lady Casey DeSantis speaks alongside Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during a press conferance on July 29, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. (Dylan Townsend/Tampa Bay Times/ZUMA Press Wire/TNS)
First lady Casey DeSantis speaks alongside Gov. Ron DeSantis during a news conference on July 29, 2024, in Tampa. During the conference, the governor and first lady handed out multiple checks to local churches as a part of their Hope Florida program. (Dylan Townsend/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)
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Overview

  • Casey DeSantis called accusations against the Hope Florida Foundation 'slanderous' and 'false,' asserting the program's transformative impact on welfare reform.
  • Reports revealed $10 million from a Medicaid settlement was funneled through Hope Florida to political committees, with $8.5 million allocated to an anti-cannabis campaign.
  • A Florida House analysis confirmed legal violations by the foundation, including failure to file audits, secret meetings, and lack of a budget or bylaws.
  • Federal investigators are reportedly considering an inquiry into the foundation's handling of funds, with former prosecutors citing sufficient evidence for a probe.
  • Speculation about Casey DeSantis's 2026 gubernatorial run has intensified, as Donald Trump's endorsement of Byron Donalds reshapes the Republican primary landscape.