A.G. Gancarski
Attorney General James Uthmeier says he’s “tired of the politicized narratives” around controversial funding that made its way to a political action committee he chaired last year.
But those narratives, revolving around Medicaid settlement money sent to Hope Florida that ended up in part messaging against constitutional amendments, aren’t tired of him.
“I was not involved in the settlement negotiations related to the Hope Florida contribution, and looking at it, everything looks legal,” Uthmeier said.
Uthmeier also suggested that the money was appropriately programmed, given that charitable entities “can absolutely support issue committees.”
“I think the media misunderstands the difference between issue committees and political candidate committees under the IRS code,” he said. “An issue committee can fight against a ballot initiative and I’m very thankful those groups stepped up and helped us secure a big win.”
The money moved in a way that requires a flow chart to follow it.
The $10 million came from Centene to Hope Florida as part of a $67 million settlement for overbilling Medicaid.
From there, two political action committees (Secure Florida’s Future and Save Our Society from Drugs) requested $5 million each from the Hope Florida Foundation.
After securing that money, the Uthmeier-chaired “Keep Florida Clean” political action committee got donations from the groups totaling $8.5 million.
Uthmeier suggested that the $10 million, which the Tampa Bay Times reports should have solely gone to cover Medicaid overbilling, was a “sweetener” to the settlement, which saw $57 million properly appropriated to the state.
“My understanding is that this was a sweetener in addition to other numbers that were being negotiated. Again, I wasn’t part of that deal,” he said.
The language mirrors Gov. Ron DeSantis’ description of the money as a “cherry on top” of the settlement, though it doesn’t answer the questions raised by many about the money’s maneuvers.
11 comments
Michael K
April 22, 2025 at 3:05 pm
Sweetener? Sweetner for whom?
I think the Attorney General needs to recalibrate his ethical compass.
TJC
April 22, 2025 at 4:04 pm
I don’t think he has an ethical compass. His statements here indicate he is the Governor’s stooge.
Larry
April 22, 2025 at 3:40 pm
Both the governor and AG are setting up their fall guy, Jeff Aaron
Bill
April 22, 2025 at 3:54 pm
“My understanding is that this was a sweetener in addition to other numbers that were being negotiated. Again, I wasn’t part of that deal,”
Being supportive while giving himself an out – how ‘politician’ of him.
TJC
April 22, 2025 at 4:09 pm
He thinks he’s a clever boy, but he’s clumsy. Washing his hands and claiming there’s no dirt there at the same time.
PeterH
April 22, 2025 at 6:06 pm
So …. we have a completely legal grift! Got it!
EARL PITTS AMERICAN
April 22, 2025 at 7:35 pm
Everyone is now free to “Relax Their Political Sphincters” secure in the knowledge that I, EARL PITTS AMERICAN, have also looked into the 10 MIL, and found the Sweetner to be totally legit and appropriate as a standard business practice which will have no effect on Ron and The Beautiful Casey moving into The White House in 2028.
IN CLOSING:
All of America is free to get a good nights sleep, secure in the knowledge, that the 10 MIL has totally passed the “EARL SMELL TEST” of 100% Legitamancy.
Thank you America for your Love, Trust, and Feility to me, EARL PITTS AMERICAN
Tom Reynolds
April 22, 2025 at 8:35 pm
Not to worry…..
The Kash is investigating and the Duh Santis s are going down!
MH/Duuuval
April 22, 2025 at 10:17 pm
Looks like a two-for: Uthmeier and Moody. Kaboom!
Linwood Wright
April 22, 2025 at 11:45 pm
Ron and Casey can share a cell in Coleman.
CD
April 23, 2025 at 7:01 am
This still smells like rotten fish, no matter how much they try to wash their hands of it.
Was the original settlement for $55 million and then Centene just voluntarily threw in an extra $10 million or 18% to “help” Hope Florida? This isn’t a restaurant where you tip for good service.
Who gives an extra $10 million freely to anyone, especially a corporation who got caught and now has to settle with the state? No one.
Sounds more like Florida should have received $65 million in settlement money.
Hope Florida should have gone through the budget process like every other charity to get that money. But guess what! They wouldn’t have received it because the State of Florida’s staff knows that an organization that’s a year old and with a less than a million dollars in operating funds doesn’t have the capacity to manage $10 million dollars in grant funds.
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