Jay Collins: Using Hope Florida Settlement Money for Anti-Pot Campaign Was Legit

By Law, $10 Million Hope Florida Deal Should Have Been Audited. It Wasn't.

The Florida statute that governs money owed to the state requires the CFO to audit the “accounts of all the officers of the state” in regard to transactions like last year’s controversial settlement with Medicaid contractor Centene Corp. that saw $10 million in public proceeds funneled through the Casey DeSantis-affiliated Hope Florida Foundation to attack a referendum staunchly opposed by her husband, Gov. Ron DeSantis, to legalize cannabis. No…

Jay Collins: Using Hope Florida settlement money for anti-pot campaign was legit

State Sen. Jay Collins is defending the Ron DeSantis administration as a “vocal advocate” for the Hope Florida program, saying a controversial eight-figure spend on political advertising was entirely legit. The Tampa Republican says the “civil settlement” agreement with Centene had included a $10 million “donation” to the Hope Florida Foundation. Regarding “grants” of $5 million to Secure Florida’s Future and Save Our Society from Drugs, $8.5 mi…

The state should have audited the $10 million Hope Florida deal. It didn’t happen: Trident

by Michelle DeMarco, Florida Trident A $67 million Medicaid settlement deal at the center of a criminal investigation reaching the top levels of the DeSantis Administration was struck without any oversight from the state’s Chief Financial Officer, in contravention of traditional practice and possibly of Florida law.   The Florida statute that governs money owed to the state requires the CFO to audit the “accounts of all the officers of the state…

Feted as a Florida hero, anti-drug advocate now embroiled in Hope Florida controversy

Feted as a Florida hero, anti-drug advocate now embroiled in Hope Florida controversy after her nonprofit moved money from charity to political committee.

State should have audited the $10 million Hope Florida deal

OOPS: Team DeSantis failed to submit $67M Medicaid settlement to CFO Patronis, whose spokesman says was unaware of $10M given to Hope Florida Foundation.

U.S. Representatives Castor, Soto Urge Federal Investigation of Hope Florida

U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor and Darren Soto are urging a federal investigation of Hope Florida.