Nikki Fried and Alex Vindman Demand Release of Hope Florida Report

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried and U.S. Senate candidate Alex Vindman are demanding the public release of a sealed Leon County grand jury report concerning the Hope Florida Foundation. The controversy centers on $10 million in taxpayer funds from a $67 million legal settlement with Centene Health Plan. These funds were diverted to the foundation and subsequently used by political committees—including one controlled by Attorney General James Uthmeier—to campaign against 2024 ballot initiatives on recreational marijuana and abortion.

Although a grand jury investigation led by State Attorney Jack Campbell resulted in no charges, the final report remains secret. Fried and Vindman allege that U.S. Senator Ashley Moody, who served as Florida Attorney General when the transfer was approved, is linked to the scandal. Vindman challenged Moody to call for the report's release, suggesting the electorate deserves to know the details before making decisions at the polls.

In response, Moody's campaign spokesperson Cameron Gambini denied the Senator had any role in the grand jury proceedings, stating the settlement was negotiated by the Agency for Health Care Administration. Gambini asserted that Moody would have no issue with the report's release. Meanwhile, James Uthmeier dismissed the investigation as a "politically motivated and media-driven farce" and declined to confirm if he requested the report be kept sealed.