Miami.– The beneficial organization Foundation Hope Floridadriven by the first lady Casey Desantis, faces increasing questions after revealing that she would have allegedly irregular 10 million dollars to political committees related to Governor Ron Desantis. A Committee from the Florida House of Representatives opened an investigation led by Republican representative Robert Alexander Andrade, president of the Health Budget Committee, who has denounced serious irregularities in the use of funds from a state agreement of Medicaid Centene for 57 million dollars.
According to Andrade that represents the counties of Escambia and Santa Rosa, Hope Florida He received a donation of 10 million dollars, as part of that agreement and transferred 5 million to two organizations, Save Our Society from Drugs and Secure Florida’s Future Inc.. Both entities would then have channeled the funds to the Political Committee (PAC) Keep Florida Clean that executed a campaign against the legalization of marijuana, posture publicly backed by Governor Desantis.
Accusations of diversion and incompetence
Andrade’s stronger accusations were exposed during an interview in the Matt Gaetz Showconducted by Republican former congressman Matt Gaetz. In that conversation, Florida’s legislator said lawyer Jeff Aaron, close to the current Attorney General and former DanSantis Cabinet Chief Keep Florida Clean and the Foundation Hope Florida. The objective, according to Andrade, was to give an appearance of legality to a resource diversion operation. “It was amazing. Incompetence is simply out of series,” he said.
In addition, he assured that Uthmeier would have directly contacted the political beneficiaries to request the funds and coordinated the necessary documentation. Although Andrade has not yet decided if he will formally summon Ushmeier, he confirmed that other key actors have been summoned to declare before the committee he heads. He also strongly criticized Governor Desantis, ensuring that “does not ignore what happens, he simply believes that the rules are not applied.”
Andrade went further by stating that First Lady Casey Desantis should appear before the commission to explain her role in the program. Also questioned the very functioning of Hope Floridaarguing that “he does not even understand the services he supposedly provides, as the so -called ‘services against loneliness’, and demonstrates a deep lack of preparation.”
Answer from the Executive
The governor Ron desantis He responded hard to accusations at a recent press conference, where rolled directly against representative Alex Andradepresident of the Health Budget Committee of the House of Representatives, accusing him of promoting a “political agenda” to attack Hope Floridathe beneficial organization promoted by his wife, the first lady casey desantis.
“This is a political agenda. These Republicans are working hand in hand with media such as Miami Herald and the Tampa Bay Times“Very liberal media,” said the president, accusing the Chamber of trying to “sabotage conservative progress.”
Changes in the direction of Hope Florida
In the middle of the scandal, the Miami Herald reported that Erik Dellenback, executive director of Hope Floridahe presented his resignation, which will be effective on May 1. Dellenback will assume a new position as executive director of Florida Family Voicea Christian organization with influence in conservative sectors.
Origin and objectives of Hope Florida
Hope Florida It was launched in 2021 as an emblematic project by Casey Desantis, with the mission of helping Floridans vulnerable to stop depending on state aid, connecting them with churches, non -profit organizations and community groups. According to official figures, the program has served more than 100,000 people and has helped more than 25,500 to reduce or eliminate its dependence on public assistance or cash.
Nothing is illegal
For his part, Alan Lawson, a retired judge from the Florida Supreme Court, wrote in Florida Politics “you may like or not James Uthmeier’s efforts to combat the mass availability of marijuana in Florida, but his actions were certainly not illegal.”
Lawson argument that Uthmeier had nothing to do with Hope Floria granting the 10 million dollars, to two organizations 501 (c) (4) for beneficial purposes that “obviously align with the mission of Hope Florida to promote healthy families and children and support their way towards self -sufficiency.”
“There is no scandal here, only politicians who seem determined to take revenge on behalf of a marijuana mega -company that invested 150 million dollars in a fight to obtain a special treatment for itself,” said Lawson.
Last November the attempt to legalize marijuana in Florida through a referendum failed.
An open debate
The controversy has generated a debate on the use of public funds and the thin line between philanthropy and political proselytism. While sectors related to the governor defend the impact of the program, critics within their own party ask for greater transparency and require accounts. Legislative investigation could have long -range legal and political repercussions in a key election year in Florida.
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