Ashley Moody faces renewed Hope Florida scandal scrutiny
U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody is facing renewed scrutiny over her role as Florida attorney general in approving a $10 million diversion from a Medicaid settlement to the Hope Florida Foundation, funds later used in political campaigns against 2024 ballot amendments—while she has declined repeated interview requests.
Key Takeaways
- As attorney general, Ashley Moody’s office approved sending $10 million from a Centene Medicaid settlement to the Hope Florida Foundation without typical spending safeguards.
- That money was quickly moved into political action committees that helped defeat Amendment 3 in 2024.
- Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Moody to the U.S. Senate in January 2025, citing her help defeating Amendments 3 and 4.
- Moody has not answered questions from reporters or a House investigator about what she knew.
- A Leon County grand jury report on Hope Florida remains unreleased amid secret court proceedings.
What was Ashley Moody’s role in the Hope Florida scandal?
Reporting from CBS News Miami says Moody’s attorney general office approved diverting $10 million of taxpayer money intended to expand Medicaid for children to the Hope Florida Foundation. The office did so without the safeguards it would typically require.
Chief deputy John Guard signed the settlement for Moody. Within days, the $10 million moved from Hope Florida into campaigns against Amendment 3, the 2024 marijuana legalization measure that fell just short of the 60% threshold needed to pass.
The settlement grew out of Centene overbilling allegations. Florida ultimately structured a $67 million deal with $57 million returning to the state and $10 million going to Hope Florida, a charity aligned with First Lady Casey DeSantis.
Republican State Rep. Alex Andrade, who led 2025 House hearings, called the episode a misuse of Medicaid money and “money laundering.” He said the AG’s office skipped controls that usually apply when groups receive large state funds.
Why is Ashley Moody’s Senate appointment under fire?
DeSantis named Moody to replace Marco Rubio in January 2025 and later named James Uthmeier attorney general. DeSantis said Moody helped defeat Amendments 3 and 4. Guard was later appointed to a state appellate court.
Democratic Senate candidate Alex Vindman told the Pensacola News Journal that Moody’s Senate seat was a “payoff” for signing off on the settlement. Rival Angie Nixon called the diversion “morally bankrupt” and urged an unredacted grand jury release.
Andrade told the News Journal he does not believe, based on what he has seen, that Moody or Guard knew how the money would be used—though he still faulted missing controls. Moody’s office and campaign have not responded to interview requests from CBS Miami, Florida Today, or the News Journal. Follow related coverage in our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.
Will the Hope Florida grand jury report be released?
A Leon County grand jury investigated after the House hearings. No charges were brought, but sources say a critical report was issued. Under state law it should become public unless someone named objects.
The Florida Center for Government Accountability is seeking to intervene so the public can argue for release. Moody and Uthmeier have refused to say whether they are blocking it. Uthmeier has called the affair a “nothing burger” and said he was not indicted or a target.
Until Moody answers what she knew—and whether she wants the report public—voters heading into the 2026 Senate race are left with unanswered questions about one of Florida’s biggest recent political controversies.