Gov. DeSantis accused of diverting $10M in Medicaid funds to charity run by wife
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis siphoned $10 million from a settlement fund meant to return Medicaid dollars to taxpayers, diverting the cash to a charity managed by his wife, Casey DeSantis, according to a report.
The Tampa Bay Times reported that when the governor settled a lawsuit against insurer Centene for $67 million last year, the entire amount was expected to be returned to the government. The company agreed to the settlement after being accused of overbilling healthcare programs for patient medications.
However, “instead of returning all $67 million to state and federal coffers, they sent $10 million of it to the Hope Florida Foundation,” Times journalists found after reviewing a draft of the settlement agreement. Centene, apparently as part of the agreement with the state, donated $10 million to the Hope Florida Foundation, which is managed by Casey DeSantis.
In a news conference Wednesday, the governor denied any wrongdoing and called the story “fabricated.” DeSantis claimed Centene chose to make the $10 million contribution on its own and that it was not part of the settlement.
“This is an attempt to try to manufacture a narrative where there’s really nothing there,” he added. “Why are they doing it? It’s all because they want to try to impugn our Hope Florida program. That’s why they’re doing it. It’s all political.”
The Times reported that the money given to Hope Florida was routed through two nonprofit groups that are not required to disclose how they spend their funds. But, donation records show the groups gave $8.5 million to a political committee overseen by the governor’s chief of staff.
'Cherry on top'
In response, DeSantis said the news outlet was sent documentation proving the $10 million was a “cherry on top”—a voluntary contribution—with the company agreeing to pay the state roughly $57 million. The Times, however, disputes this and maintains the full $67 million represented Medicaid funds owed to the state and federal government.
Hope Florida’s mission is ambiguous, as its website says it uses money to foster “community collaboration between the public and private sector, faith-based communities, and nonprofits, to break down traditional community silos.” The initiative was launched in 2021 by Casey DeSantis.
Read the full report from the Tampa Bay Times here.
Chad is an award-winning writer and editor with over 15 years of experience working in media. He has a decade-long professional background in healthcare, working as a writer and in public relations.