As DeSantis administration officials scrambled last year to craft a Medicaid overbilling settlement that diverted millions to the Hope Florida Foundation, lawyers for healthcare contractor Centene and the Florida Attorney General’s Office tried to distance their clients from the agreement, a trove of newly released records shows.
Over 22 days in September, then-Chief Deputy Attorney General John Guard repeatedly removed references to his office in drafts of the settlement passed among negotiators.
Centene’s lawyers inserted language emphasizing that the company was “directed by the state” to donate $10 million of its $67 million settlement to the foundation. The attorneys insisted that Florida’s Office of Inspector General or attorney general be mentioned in the agreement.
I mean of all people to know what Medicaid fraud looks like Rick Scott should know
Trump is doing so much fucked up shit that people don’t realize Desantis was laundering money and taking kick backs with his wife.
A top GOP lawmaker accused the DeSantis administration of illegally laundering federal Medicaid funds, and former federal prosecutors have said the transactions may have been illegal. Prosecutors in Tallahassee launched a criminal investigation related to the claims.
The agreement had ramifications in Washington, as well. Guard, who eventually signed the settlement, has seen his nomination by President Donald Trump for federal judge held up after Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott said he should face questions about it. Guard declined to comment.
Hope Florida charity paid for hotel rooms, perks for DeSantis officials
It wasn’t the first time the Hope Florida Foundation, which benefits a program spearheaded by Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, has failed to file key paperwork. In April, its board president told state lawmakers that the charity had not filed any tax returns, created a budget or conducted audits required by law.
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