TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Prosecutors have opened an investigation related to the Hope Florida Foundation, the organization behind the welfare program that has been touted as the signature achievement of first lady Casey DeSantis.

What You Need To Know

  • State prosecutors launched an investigation related to the Hope Florida Foundation

  • State lawmakers in DeSantis' own party have been scrutinizing the foundation, which gave $10 million from a state Medicaid settlement to two not-for-profits — those groups in turn gave millions to a political committee

  • Gov. Ron DeSantis defends the program, dismissing allegations as politically driven

A public records custodian in the office of Second Judicial Circuit State Attorney Jack Campbell confirmed the existence of “an open, on-going investigation” Tuesday in response to a records request from The Associated Press. The investigation was first reported by the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times.

Questioned by reporters at an event Tuesday in Tampa highlighting the work of Hope Florida, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis defended the initiative, which uses state employees to help connect Floridians in need with faith institutions and community-based organizations and wean them off government assistance.

“I believe in this program deeply and I stand by it 100%,” DeSantis said.

“This is a rewiring of the way that government operates,” the first lady said.

“It’s a model for the nation. Instead of saying, ‘Here’s a handout,’ let’s give you hope and a hand up to live up to your God-given potential," she added.

State lawmakers in DeSantis' own party have been scrutinizing the program and its foundation, which gave $10 million from a state Medicaid settlement to two not-for-profits. Those groups in turn gave millions to a political committee, chaired by DeSantis’ then-chief of staff, that campaigned against a failed referendum on recreational marijuana.

On Tuesday, Mark Wilson, the president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the chair of one of the not-for-profits that received the grants, appeared at the event with the governor and first lady to highlight businesses that are collaborating with Hope Florida.

“Folks, we are just getting started,” Wilson said.

“Imagine the connection that happens when churches and employers and government works together,” he added.

Last month, Republican state Rep. Alex Andrade wrapped up the investigation he had been spearheading into Hope Florida, saying he would leave the rest of the inquiry to “the FBI and Department of Justice.” Andrade has alleged that the flow of funds from the foundation to the not-for-profits and on to the political committees amounts to “conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud."

DeSantis has dismissed the investigation of Hope Florida as a politically motivated smear against his wife, who he's floated as his potential successor when he terms out in 2026.

“I think that everything that’s been thrown at it is pure politics,” DeSantis said.