DeSantis Claims Hope Florida Probe Dismissed, But Lawmaker Awaits DOJ Confirmation

State Rep. Alex Andrade disputes governor's assertion, says $10 million Medicaid diversion remains under investigation.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 5:07pm

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that the Department of Justice has dropped its investigation into the Hope Florida scandal, but State Representative Alex Andrade, who has led the charge for an investigation, says he won't believe the case has been dismissed until he hears it directly from the DOJ. The investigation centers on the diversion of $10 million in Medicaid funds to a non-profit led by First Lady Casey DeSantis, which were then used to fund a Political Action Committee.

Why it matters

The Hope Florida scandal has raised concerns about potential fraud and misuse of public funds, with Andrade accusing the state's Attorney General of money laundering and wire fraud. The governor's claims of the investigation being dropped contradict the lawmaker's assertions that the facts have not changed and the $10 million diversion remains under scrutiny.

The details

The $10 million in Medicaid funds were diverted away from the state's general revenue fund and into a non-profit led by First Lady Casey DeSantis. The money was then used to fund a Political Action Committee to fight a constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana. Representative Andrade has accused Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier of money laundering and wire fraud in relation to the fund diversion.

  • In October 2026, WEAR News reported that the Hope Florida controversy was set to go before a grand jury.
  • On February 4, 2026, Governor DeSantis announced that the Department of Justice has dropped its investigation into the Hope Florida scandal.

The players

Ron DeSantis

The Governor of Florida who announced the Department of Justice has dropped its investigation into the Hope Florida scandal.

Alex Andrade

A State Representative from Pensacola who has led the charge for an investigation into the diversion of $10 million in Medicaid funds by the governor's office using the Hope Florida Foundation.

James Uthmeier

The Florida Attorney General who Andrade has accused of money laundering and wire fraud in relation to the $10 million Medicaid fund diversion.

Casey DeSantis

The First Lady of Florida who led the non-profit organization that received the $10 million in diverted Medicaid funds.

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What they’re saying

“Governor DeSantis a few years back made a big deal about anonymous sources in news media. So for him to jump all over a single anonymous source in this circumstance is a little bizarre.”

— Alex Andrade, State Representative

“The facts haven't changed. Ten million dollars went from our Medicaid program to James Uthemeier's political committee. They were spent improperly.”

— Alex Andrade, State Representative

“I don't understand why the governor thinks that a lack of prosecution right now is somehow evidence that everything was OK. I mean, you want to stick to the facts. The fact remains $10 million in Medicaid funds were funneled to a PAC.”

— Alex Andrade, State Representative

What’s next

Representative Andrade says as far as he's concerned, nothing has changed, and there will be no update until an official statement is made by the Department of Justice.

The takeaway

The conflicting claims between Governor DeSantis and Representative Andrade highlight the ongoing controversy and uncertainty surrounding the Hope Florida scandal. The diversion of $10 million in Medicaid funds remains a central issue, with Andrade insisting the facts have not changed despite the governor's assertion that the DOJ investigation has been dropped.