A criminal investigation into the alleged misuse of Florida Medicaid settlement funds advanced yesterday as two key witnesses, State Rep. Alex Andrade and Save Our Society from Drugs exeuctive director Amy Ronshausen, appeared before a Tallahassee grand jury examining millions of dollars channeled through the Hope Florida Foundation to a political committee run by James Uthmeier, who now serves as Florida’s Attorney General.
Andrade, a Republican who led a legislative probe into the matter, spent approximately two hours testifying at the Leon County Courthouse. Also appearing was Ronshausen, whose Petersburg-based nonprofit received a $5 million grant from the Hope Florida Foundation. Neither would discuss their testimony.
Details: The investigation centers on allegations that $10 million from Florida’s $67 million Medicaid settlement with health care contractor Centene was improperly funneled through the Hope Florida Foundation to a political committee fighting last year’s recreational marijuana amendment.
- According to state records and text messages, Ronshausen’s organization received a $5 million grant from Hope Florida Foundation in October 2024. Within days, her nonprofit donated $4.75 million to Keep Florida Clean, a political committee then controlled by James Uthmeier, Governor Ron DeSantis’ chief of staff at the time and now Florida’s attorney general.
Money Laundering Allegation
Andrade has alleged that Uthmeier directed Ronshausen to apply for the grant with the understanding it would be transferred to his political committee. Ronshausen initially told Andrade this was true during his spring investigation but later recanted, claiming Andrade coerced her.
Dig Deeper: In April, Ronhausen sent a letter to Florida House Speaker Danny Perez. According to Ronhausen’s account, she participated in this meeting under duress due to concerns about potential funding losses for the Drug Free America Foundation and the threat of a subpoena if she didn’t cooperate. She alleged Andrade promised confidentiality during their discussion but subsequently shared information from their meeting with the media. She further disputes public statements attributed to Andrade, claiming that James Uthmeier approved SOS’s use of Hope Florida grant funds for a campaign opposing Amendment 3.
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- “At no time has James Uthmeier directed me or SOS on how to use funds received from an entirely appropriate grant from Hope Florida,” Ronhausen wrote in her letter. She states she is consulting with legal counsel regarding next steps in the matter.
- Andrade texted me after I reported the letter: “None of that happened, by the way.”
However, text messages show Uthmeier contacted Ronshausen and Hope Florida Foundation attorney Jeff Aaron coordinated her grant application.
The Keep Florida Clean committee worked to defeat Amendment 3, which would have legalized recreational marijuana. Despite receiving majority support, the amendment ultimately failed.
Both DeSantis and Uthmeier have denied wrongdoing. The Hope Florida program, championed by First Lady Casey DeSantis as her signature initiative, aims to help Floridians become independent from government assistance.
State Attorney Jack Campbell, whose office is conducting the investigation, declined to comment on the proceedings. The board chairman of Save Our Society from Drugs resigned in protest after learning about the transactions, calling for a thorough third-party investigation.
The grand jury’s work marks an escalation in scrutiny of financial arrangements that have drawn bipartisan criticism and derailed legislative support for the Hope Florida program.
