Florida appeals court expunges Medicaid grand jury report

A Florida state appeals court has ordered the expungement of a grand jury report that alleged $10 million from a Medicaid settlement was misappropriated for political purposes. The First District Court of Appeal ruled that the grand jury exceeded its legal authority by declaring conduct unlawful and naming individuals without issuing indictments.

The report had previously been leaked to the press. The court found that the grand jury violated state disclosure laws, which require that reports not leading to indictments remain sealed until named parties are given the opportunity to seek suppression or expungement.

The legal dispute involves a $67 million settlement with Centene Corp regarding alleged Medicaid overpayments. While the grand jury suggested $10 million was improperly funneled to the Hope Florida Foundation and subsequently to a political committee, the appellate court ruled the settlement arrangement was legal. The court noted that because the $10 million was paid directly to the foundation rather than the state, the funds were not “diverted” as the report had claimed.