Breaking: Andrade ends Hope Florida probe

I'm your huckleberry

The Tampa Bay Times has reported that the Florida House investigation into the Hope Florida Foundation is concluding without testimony from key figures.

As we have reported, Representative Alex Andrade, the Pensacola Republican leading the investigation, told TBT that he believes Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and the foundation’s lawyer, Jeff Aaron, “engaged in a conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud” related to the redirection of $10 million from a Medicaid overbilling settlement.

The funds in question originated from state Medicaid contractor Centene as part of a $67 million settlement. State officials reportedly directed the company to donate $10 million to the Hope Florida Foundation in September. The foundation then quickly awarded $5 million grants to two organizations: a 501(c)(4) overseen by Florida Chamber of Commerce CEO Mark Wilson and the St. Petersburg-based Save Our Society from Drugs.

Last weekend, we published text messages revealing that Uthmeier had instructed Save Our Society from Drugs leader Amy Ronshausen to apply for the funding. Wilson, Ronshausen, and Aaron all declined to testify before the committee.

What’s next: The U.S. attorney would oversee any further investigation. “It’s up to the FBI and DOJ to care about fighting public corruption.”

I have reached out to Rep. Andrade and hope to have a podcast interview later today.

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Breaking: Andrade ends Hope Florida probe

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