POLITICS NEWS – Ron DeSantis and wife Casey embroiled in campaign funding scandal

Laila Kirkpatrick, Staff Writer

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is now on the defensive over questions about how nearly $10 million in state funds were used to fund his political campaign. In his two terms as governor, DeSantis has enjoyed support from the Republican-controlled legislature, but now Republicans are saying that his alleged misuse of these funds could warrant a criminal investigation. These allegations involve a $10 million payment that was given to Florida by a company providing managed care to Medicaid recipients. The money is 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 called Hope Florida. This non-profit was founded by DeSantis’ wife, Casey DeSantis. The program helps people move off of government assistance into community-based programs. An investigation by state lawmakers found that Hope Florida transferred $10 million to political groups that aren’t required to disclose their donors. The two groups then sent some $8.5 million to a political committee that campaigns against an amendment to legalize recreational marijuana in the state.