TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — First Lady Casey DeSantis’ charity, Hope Florida, is under scrutiny after the state directed $10 million in settlement money to the organization, a possible state law violation.

Florida law directs most settlement money into the state’s general revenue fund, or into a trust fund. However, a 2024 agreement between Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and private healthcare company, Centene, directed $10 million to the nonprofit.

“At the very least need more accountability on what that $10 million is being used for and how on earth AHCA felt justified in transferring those funds to a separate agency,” said Pensacola Republican State Rep. Alex Andrade.

The Andrade-led House Health Care Budget Subcommittee on Wednesday pressed AHCA Secretary Shevaun Harris on the issue. As of Thursday, Hope Florida has yet to release tax forms.

“We have no idea what that money would be used for, and we have no idea why we did it,” Andrade told Harris in committee. “That’s not acceptable, Secretary.”

Harris responded: “Mr. Chair, I think it’s unfortunate that we are succumbing to some of these unfortunate attacks.”

Later, Harris and other DeSantis-appointed leaders took to social media. Among them: Education Commissioner Manny Diaz and Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Eric Hall.

“I think it was a shameful approach to be able to get into this conversation that distracts us from the ultimate mission, which is helping young people achieve their full God-Given potential,” said Hall.

Gov. Ron DeSantis responded to the scrutiny Thursday at a Miami press conference. He rebuked it as a political attack. He also described the portion of settlement money that went to Hope Florida as a “cherry on top” of the settlement.

“When you do settlements, you can try to get as much money as you can,” said DeSantis. “But this was in addition to what they were getting. This is kind of like a cherry on top, where they agreed to make an additional contribution.”

Florida Democrats are among those critical of Hope Florida’s financing. The charity, some say, is not an adequate replacement for social services.

“I would much rather money be allocated to beef up these agencies to be responsive to their constituents, versus funding a slush fund for the First Lady,” said Orlando Democratic State Rep. Anna Eskamani.

First Lady DeSantis spearheaded Hope Florida in 2021. It “serves as a connection point for community collaboration between the public and private sector, faith-based communities, and nonprofits,” says the website.