Court Wipes Out Hope Florida Grand Jury Presentment that Blasted DeSantis Administration
The court said the panel exceeded its authority and disclosed sealed material to at least 49 recipients, including 2 intake addresses.
- On Wednesday, the First District Court of Appeal ordered full expungement of a confidential Leon County grand jury presentment, ruling the panel exceeded its authority by naming individuals without returning an indictment.
- The grand jury had alleged that $10 million from a $67 million Medicaid settlement with Centene Corporation was "misappropriated" as part of a "sophisticated scheme" to fund political activities against a 2024 ballot measure.
- Appellate Judge Lance Neff wrote that the grand jury lacked authority to declare conduct unlawful without a filed civil action, while State Attorney Jack Campbell violated the law by distributing the document to at least 49 unauthorized recipients.
- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Governor Ron DeSantis declared the ruling a "complete and total victory," while Jeremy Redfern, Uthmeier's deputy chief of staff, called the report the "Hope Florida Hoax" on social media.
- The decision reverses a July order by Leon Circuit Judge James Lee Marsh that had denied full expungement, though the ruling is not final until the time for rehearing motions has passed.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Court orders Hope Florida grand jury report expunged, says settlement arrangement was legal
Florida's 1st District Court of Appeal ruled the report's finding that $10 million was "misappropriated" rested on a misreading of state law and criticized its leak to the press.
Sun-Sentinel
Court wipes out Hope Florida grand jury presentment that blasted DeSantis administration
The court expunged the grand jury's findings regarding the DeSantis administration and Hope Florida, saying the jury exceeded its authority.
Appeals court orders full expungement of Hope Florida grand jury report; rejects findings against DeSantis officials
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s First District Court of Appeal on Wednesday ordered a Leon County grand jury presentment on the Hope Florida settlement expunged in full, ruling the panel exceeded its authority when it called a $10 million payment a “sophisticated scheme” and named people it never indicted. Judge Lance Neff, writing for the court,… The post Appeals court orders full expungement of Hope Florida grand jury report; rejects findings ag…
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