Florida Democrats call for impeachment of Attorney General James Uthmeier

Florida House Democrats are calling for a special session to consider the impeachment of Attorney General James Uthmeier. The demand follows a leaked grand jury report regarding the diversion of $10 million in settlement funds.

The report concerns a $67 million settlement between the state and Medicaid vendor Centene. According to the findings, $10 million was sent to the Hope Florida Foundation, a charity initiative started by First Lady Casey DeSantis. The funds were subsequently funneled through two nonprofit organizations into political committees controlled by Uthmeier, who previously served as Governor Ron DeSantis’ chief of staff.

Uthmeier’s committees used the money to oppose two measures on the November 2024 ballot: the legalization of recreational marijuana and the establishment of a right to abortion. While the grand jury report stated the money was “misappropriated,” it did not find sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against any individuals. House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell characterized the incident as a “criminal action involving the misappropriation of taxpayer money” driven by political ambitions.