Congressman Alex Andrade is concluding his investigation into Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s Hope Florida Foundation, which has faced scrutiny for its handling of $10 million in Medicaid settlement funds. Andrade claims that Attorney General James Usmeyer and charity lawyer Jeff Aaron engaged in criminal activity by funneling this money from a legal settlement into the foundation, which subsequently allocated $5 million to two nonprofits—overseen by Florida Chamber of Commerce CEO Mark Wilson—and an additional $8.5 million to a political committee managed by Usmeyer. Andrade asserts that these transactions resemble conspiracy to commit money laundering and fraud; however, his committee will not pursue prosecution.
The $10 million originates from a settlement with state Medicaid contractor St. Ne for excess prescription drug billing. State officials directed these funds to the Hope Foundation, which awarded the grants in secret. Andrade is dissatisfied with the lack of cooperation from various parties, as key individuals, including Wilson and Ronshausen from the nonprofit Drug Free America, backed out of providing testimony, citing legal concerns.
Andrade has plans to issue subpoenas and seeks further documentation, although he’s stepping back from direct prosecution, leaving the investigation open for federal agencies like the FBI and DOJ. Rep. Debra Tendrich has added that the lack of transparency surrounding how the funds were used raises concerns of potential fraud, highlighting the need for accountability regarding taxpayer money. The legislative session is expected to end soon, and Andrade called for policy changes to address public corruption issues.
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