The controversy revolves around Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration diverting $10 million in state settlement money to the Hope Florida Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by his wife, Casey DeSantis, to reshape welfare in the state.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration diverted $10 million in state settlement money last year to the charity arm of a welfare initiative led by his wife.
The unusual injection of cash was part of an undisclosed settlement agreement involving Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration. The money went to the Hope Florida Foundation, a nonprofit that was established by the state to help realize Casey DeSantis’ vision to reshape welfare.
Under Florida law, money from certain settlement agreements must be deposited into a state trust fund or the general revenue fund, where lawmakers can decide how to spend it.
It’s not clear whether the law applies because the state is refusing to release the settlement’s details, including the circumstances or parties involved.
A state spokesperson said the law does not apply because “this money was not paid to the state.” She did not elaborate.
The $10 million infusion could be the latest question to arise about the foundation, which was established two years ago to raise money to assist Hope Florida, a state program created by the DeSantises.