Talahassee – A leading lawmaker said he will issue a text message subpoena and call logs from Florida Attorney General James Usmierier and publish a log about the Florida Foundation’s wishes.
Rep. Alex Andrade said last year he decided to issue a subpoena to top state prosecutors after speaking with leaders from two dark money groups who received $5 million in grants from the foundation, the Times/Herald said Monday night.
One of them said Uthmeier instructed her to ask the grant foundation, while the other said he didn’t deny it, Pensacola Republican Andrade. Both groups then gave millions to the political committee managed by Usmeyer to combat the revision of recreational marijuana.
Andrade claimed that “it was clearly confirmed that James Uthmeier personally reached out to these 501(c)(4) and directed Florida to submit a $5 million request.”
Andrade was created to use his position on the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee to investigate the finances and operations of Hope and Hope Florida Foundation Charities in Florida, and to support programs aimed at helping Floridians receive government assistance.
Earlier this month, the Times/Herald reported that the DeSantis administration led the $10 million from a $67 million Medicaid settlement to the foundation.
Andrade questions whether the decision was illegal and where $10 million went after the foundation received money from Centene, the Medicaid contractor who disrupted the state. On Friday, the Times/Herald reported that money was sent to save our society from drugs and secure Future Inc. in Florida.
Andrade said on Monday that the executive director of saving our society from drugs, Usmeyer (the then chief) had instructed Governor Ron DeSantis at the time to ask her the grant foundation.
Both dark money groups are opposed to the recreational marijuana campaign, previously giving at least $1 million to their September efforts. Andrade said Amy Ronshausen, executive director of Save Our Society, is the executive director from Drugs. But Andrade said Ronshausen told him that Uthmeier understands what she will do with the funds.
Ronschausen could not be reached for comment Monday night. Andredo said she believes it all was on top.
“James said it was okay, so I thought she was fine,” Andredo said.
Uthmeier has adjusted the transaction, Andrade said. Andredo said he plans to summon text messages and call logs of at least two other people involved in the transaction. Head of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and attorney representing the Hope Florida Foundation.
On Tuesday morning, Andrade plans to ask three Hope officials about the deal during his subcommittee meeting. He invited Chief of Children and Family Taylor Hatch, Florida Executive Director Eric Derenbach, Hope Executive Director of Joshua Hay of the Hope Florida Foundation, Eric Derenbach, Hope Florida Executive Director and Hope Florida Joshua Hay of Hope.
The Dark Money Group grant application to the Foundation was addressed to Hay for $5 million.
“We have confirmed that wire transfers to save our society occurred on October 22nd.”
Campaign finance records show that the St. Petersburg-based organization has given a total of $4.75 million to the political committee that maintains Florida. Payments were made on 23rd October, 24th October and 28th October with three separate relocations. The political committee’s aim was to defeat the marijuana amendment.
“The day after she got the wire, she turned around and gave her the first $1.6 million,” Andredo said. “I asked her if it was $5 million (grant). She said, ‘Yes.’ ”
Uthmeier spokesman Jeremy Redfern has not addressed Andrade’s accusations in a statement issued to the Times/Herald, instead delving into the character of lawmakers and suggesting that he is carrying water for the marijuana industry.
Andredo also said he asked Mark Wilson, CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Mark Wilson is also headed by Future Inc. of Secure Florida, another dark money group that received $5 million from the foundation on the circumstances that led to his monetary application.
“He was combative and negative and said, ‘It was nothing, and we’re doing this all the time,'” Andrade said. “He kept saying it was 501(c)(4). I don’t need to check anything.”
Andredo told Wilson, “I told you I didn’t know if James lied to you or if you knew exactly what you were doing, but based on your reaction to this call, you’re comfortable being part of the plot.”
A Wilson spokesperson confirmed that Wilson spoke to Andrade but disputed the lawmaker’s explanation of what was said. The spokesman did not elaborate. She said in a statement that the organization’s board of directors is dictating its resources, not the political committee, to ensure Florida’s future.
“I’m going to summon a text message tomorrow,” Andredo said. One goes to Wilson.
Andrade said Uthmeier texted Ronshausen on October 11th and asked her to call. Andrade said Ronshausen and Uthmeier had called and told Uthmeier to request a $5 million grant from the Hope Florida Foundation.
Jeff Aaron, a lawyer with the Hope Florida Foundation, later followed up with Ron Schauser and sent an application for a secure Florida Future Inc, Andrede said. She applied.
The two grant applications are similar. They say money is not suitable for political “candidates.”
Andredo said he summoned Aaron’s text and called out the log. Aaron said Monday that no subpoena is necessary and is happy to create a public record for Andrade, including text messages.
