# DeSantis Blames Leak for Hope Florida Scandal Report
*Governor Ron DeSantis addresses grand jury findings regarding misappropriated funds intended for children's health insurance.*

- Medio: Orlando Ledger News (https://orlandoledgernews.com)
- URL: https://orlandoledgernews.com/noticia/desantis-blames-leak-for-hope-florida-scandal-report
- Sección: Security
- Autor: Orlando Ledger News Staff
- Publicado: 2026-08-28T07:12:51.297Z
> Ron DeSantis claims leaked grand jury report is the sole crime, defending allies amid probe into $10M fund diversion for political efforts opposing Amendment 3.

## Las claves

- Grand jury found $10M diverted to oppose marijuana amendment
- DeSantis says leaking sealed report was the only criminal act
- Attorney General John Guard and James Uthmeier implicated in findings

LAKE CITY, Fla. -- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis addressed a recent report revealing sealed findings from a grand jury investigation into the Hope Florida Foundation's alleged misappropriation of funds during a news conference on Thursday. The scandal centers around $10 million intended to provide health insurance for poor children that was diverted through various organizations before ending up in bank accounts associated with the Republican Party of Florida and two political action committees.

### Political Use of Settlement Funds

The grand jury report concluded that these redirected funds were "misused for political purposes," specifically to oppose Amendment 3, a 2024 citizen ballot initiative aimed at legalizing marijuana for adults in the state. The amendment ultimately fell just short of the 60% supermajority required to become law. Although the investigation could not determine exactly who was responsible for these actions and resulted in no criminal charges, it identified key figures involved in the process.

### Implications for DeSantis Allies

The report highlighted James Uthmeier, who served as DeSantis's chief of staff at the time. It stated that Uthmeier was "in a position of authority over those involved in settling" and noted that his Keep Florida Clean PAC was the prime recipient of the majority of the $10 million taxpayer funds. DeSantis later appointed Uthmeier to serve as Florida attorney general, replacing Ashley Moody.

### Denials and Political Reactions

In a news conference on Thursday, Uthmeier called the continuing interest in the grand jury's findings "a politically motivated hoax." He stated that the leaked report "shows that the Democrats had to collude with the press to break the law." The report also indicated that Ashley Moody, Florida’s attorney general at the time, knew of plans to divert the $10 million and authorized her former chief deputy, John Guard, to sign off on the settlement agreement. Both Uthmeier and Moody are running for election in November, more context in [Florida AG Uthmeier Criticizes Property Tax Amendment Transparency](/noticia/florida-ag-uthmeier-criticizes-property-tax-amendment-transparency).

### DeSantis Defends Foundation

When questioned at the news conference, DeSantis accused a reporter of lying about the report's findings. "The only crime that was apparent was whoever leaked the grand jury report," DeSantis said. He went on to defend the work of the Hope Florida Foundation and his wife, Casey DeSantis, who served as the face of the organization ahead of a speculated gubernatorial run that never materialized. "None of these guys did anything wrong," he stated, adding that there would be consequences for whoever leaked the report to CBS Miami.
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Fuente original: https://orlandoledgernews.com/noticia/desantis-blames-leak-for-hope-florida-scandal-report