TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Lawmakers questioned Florida officials Tuesday morning to further explore people involved in the ongoing investigation into nonprofits and the mystical money trails related to the $10 million Medicaid settlement.
Central concern: Funds from last year’s Medicaid agreement could have been potentially illegally poured into political organisations.
DeSantis says a Florida Republican “rotten.”
At a committee meeting Tuesday, House members asked about their knowledge and involvement in the situation, Taylor Hatch, Department of Children and Families, Joshua Hay, president of the Hope Florida Foundation, and Eric Delenbach, executive director of Hope Florida.
The main concern raised is who is protecting this pot of money? How did you get from point A to point B? And is there a reason to believe this is all a scam?
“In recent weeks, public reports have revealed that errors have occurred. The reporting procedure has expired and the staffing support needed to ensure that all issues are handled promptly and properly,” Hay said.
Hay will hold a meeting with the Florida Foundation’s Hope Foundation Committee on Thursday to discuss the next steps and invite all stakeholders.
Both Democrats and Republicans in the Capitol expressed skepticism, pointing their fingers to Florida Attorney General James Usmiere, suggesting he played a direct role in the pilot funds.
“The Hope Florida Foundation has given two $5,000,000 grants to a pair of dark money groups that gave millions of dollars to a political committee established to defeat the legalization of marijuana constitution,” said Fentris Driskel (D-Tampa). “This political committee was ruled by James Usmiere.”
State Senator Alex Andrade (R-Pensacola) reflected these concerns.
“I know he personally reached out to secure Florida’s future and save our society from drugs. I know he played a role in the AHCA settlement that led this money to the Hope Florida Foundation and immediately paid his bank account,” Andredo said. “He knew where that money came from. He knew it was Medicaid money. He knew it was going to 501C3. And he knew it would end up in his bank account. That’s our AG. Is that the best thing Florida has to offer?”
Andrede, a leading Republican following the Hope Florida Money Trail, was not completely satisfied with the response he received on the committee.
Gov. Ron DeSantis also got caught up in the controversy and used the moment to re-introduce Republicans inside the house.
“We have this almost 3-1 Republican in the Florida House of Representatives and it’s rotten,” DeSantis said. “They act like Democrats, they’re conspired with the left, they’re trying to thwart all the huge successes Florida has acquired over the past six years.”
