HOPE FLORIDA

A Times/Herald special report

The Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald joint Tallahassee bureau broke the biggest scandal in the tenure of Gov. Ron DeSantis – the shift of millions of dollars of public money to wage campaigns against issues the governor opposed. It started with the Hope Florida Foundation, but it didn’t end there.

Featured Stories

DeSantis officials assigned $10 million to his wife’s charity. Was it legal?

State officials are refusing to give details on a legal settlement.

Here’s where $10 million donation to DeSantis’ Hope Florida effort went

The money to the Hope Florida Foundation went to two organizations that later gave to a political committee, records show.

Countering DeSantis, $10M Hope Florida donation came from Medicaid, draft shows

Top DeSantis administration officials were involved in negotiations.

Lawyers distanced clients from Hope Florida Medicaid deal, records show

The Florida Attorney General’s Office said it didn’t “really want to” represent the state in the settlement.

DeSantis admin diverted child welfare and medical funds for consultants, ads

During the fight to defeat Amendments 3 and 4 last year, Gov. DeSantis’ administration spent at least $36.2 million in taxpayer funds.

Group that got $5M from Hope Florida Foundation spent it without board knowing, chairman says

Save Our Society from Drugs Board Chairman James Holton sent a resignation letter.

DeSantis said Hope Florida experts are in every sheriff’s office. Are they?

More than a dozen sheriff’s offices said there are no trained experts at their agencies.

Hope Florida’s foster care claims ring hollow, child welfare groups say

Executives of leading foster care agencies say the first lady’s touted program duplicates existing services.

DeSantis touts Hope Florida as ‘great success story.’ What has it done?

The Hope Florida program is embedded in every contract with the state’s Medicaid providers.

DeSantis says there is ‘no basis’ for investigating Hope Florida

He also lashed out at the Republican lawmaker who spurred the probe.

Hope Florida charity paid for hotel rooms, perks for DeSantis officials

Nonprofit experts say the golf fundraiser was unusual in multiple ways.

About the reporters
Lawrence Mower - Tallahassee Correspondent
Lawrence Mower

is a Tallahassee correspondent for the Tampa Bay Times. Read more.

Alexandra Glorioso - Tallahassee Correspondent
Alexandra Glorioso

is a Tallahassee correspondent for the Miami Herald. Read more.

Justin Garcia - Investigative Reporter
Justin Garcia

is an investigative reporter at the Tampa Bay Times. Read more.