The long-running effort by a “back-bench” state representative to criminalize the DeSantis administration’s signature charitable initiative has officially hit a dead end. According to a Department of Justice (DOJ) source with direct knowledge of the matter, federal officials have declined to move forward with a case against the Hope Florida Foundation and Attorney General James Uthmeier, concluding there is “no predicate” for an investigation.
The allegations, spearheaded by Republican State Representative Alex Andrade, centered on a $10 million Medicaid settlement involving Centene Corporation. Andrade claimed the funds were illegally funneled through Casey DeSantis’ charity to anti-marijuana political committees. However, the DOJ’s decision to pass on the case marks a total collapse of the narrative. “No further action is anticipated,” the source confirmed, putting an end to what administration officials have termed a “sideshow.”
The dismissal has triggered a fresh escalation in the feud between Uthmeier and Andrade. On Monday, Uthmeier called for Andrade’s ouster as Chair of the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee, citing a massive conflict of interest: Andrade’s law firm currently represents Planned Parenthood in a $357 million lawsuit brought by the state.
“Somebody that’s aligned with Planned Parenthood, endangering women and children, should not be chairing a subcommittee focused on the health of our citizens,” Uthmeier stated. Deputy Chief of Staff Jeremy Redfern was even more blunt, stating, “As we’ve said since the beginning, a back-bench state representative started a hoax investigation into Hope Florida for political reasons. We appreciate the Department of Justice putting this sideshow to bed once and for all. Ever since Amendment 3 & 4 failed, Rep. Andrade has filed legislation on behalf of Big Marijuana Corporations, and his law firm is now defending Planned Parenthood against the people of Florida. Nobody should take this guy seriously.”
The record of GOP Governor Ron DeSantis and Uthmeier stands as one of the most consequential in Florida history. Under DeSantis, Florida has paid down over $5.3 billion in state debt and maintained record surpluses, all while keeping taxes at historic lows. He signed the largest school-choice expansion in U.S. history and championed the Parental Rights in Education Act, which ensures classroom transparency. He secured more than $800 million annually for Everglades restoration, the highest level of funding in state history.
Since taking office, Uthmeier has overseen the arrest of more than 1,200 child predators and the rescue of 300 missing children. His Retail Theft Task Force has secured over 130 years of combined prison sentences for organized crime rings. He spearheaded “Alligator Alcatraz,” an enforcement facility in the Everglades designed to detain and process illegal aliens, while successfully challenging federal overreach in court.
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