Calling a leaked grand jury report evidence of a money laundering scheme involving top officials in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, Democrat David Jolly said Thursday he would launch a new investigation if he wins his race for governor. While the grand jury concluded taxpayer money was misused for political purposes in the transfer of $10 million in Medicaid settlement money through ...

Democratic candidate for governor David Jolly addresses supporters during his primary election night party at the Miami Lakes Hotel in Miami Lakes, Florida, on Aug. 18, 2026.

Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS

Calling a leaked grand jury report evidence of a money laundering scheme involving top officials in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, Democrat David Jolly said Thursday he would launch a new investigation if he wins his race for governor.

While the grand jury concluded taxpayer money was misused for political purposes in the transfer of $10 million in Medicaid settlement money through a charity created to fund Hope Florida — a key initiative of the governor's wife, Casey DeSantis — it declined to charge anyone with a crime. It cited a lack of clarity from witnesses as a reason why it couldn’t pursue charges.

Leaked less than three months before Election Day, the report’s findings were sure to rattle the race to replace DeSantis.

The failure to prosecute could be an ongoing theme in Jolly’s campaign for governor well into Election Day. Since he launched his campaign last year, the former Republican congressman has been running on two main issues: affordability and GOP corruption. The report’s release basically begs him to pressure his Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, to follow his example.

“It is clear from the grand jury findings that the Hope Florida investigation should be reopened,” Jolly said during a Pensacola news conference. “As governor, I’ve committed to doing that, and I’m asking Byron Donalds to commit to doing the same.”

While Donalds had no role in the scandal, the report raises questions about the roles played by top DeSantis officials and those in Florida’s Republican establishment, some of whom are on the November ticket with Donalds.

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, who faces an election battle with Democratic state Rep. Angie Nixon, was attorney general at the time of the transfer of the Medicaid money. DeSantis’ then-chief of staff, James Uthmeier, controlled the political committee Keep Florida Clean, which the grand jury said was the recipient of most of the $10 million in taxpayer dollars.

DeSantis appointed Uthmeier attorney general last year after he appointed Moody to the U.S. Senate. Uthmeier is on the ballot, too, facing former Democratic state Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez.

Rodriguez called for Uthmeier’s resignation shortly after the grand jury report leaked Wednesday. On the same day, Nixon called for Moody to resign.

There’s been no such pressure from Jolly on Donalds, who was serving nearly 900 miles away in the U.S. Congress as the scandal unfolded. But Jolly did push for a response.

“The people of Florida deserve transparency and deserve to know if those highest in power in government in Florida indeed laundered money, healthcare money, healthcare funds intended for families and young people,” Jolly said. “I hope Byron will join me in committing to that on behalf of the people of Florida.”

Donalds’ campaign couldn’t be reached. Donalds spent much of Thursday campaigning in Jacksonville. Jolly said he was careful not to politicize the grand jury report, which he said would dilute its importance.

“This is bigger than politics,” Jolly told the Tampa Bay Times after Thursday’s news conference. “I don’t know if this will be a central campaign issue. But voters have a right to see what their governor will look like.”

Jolly trails Donalds by about three percentage points in recent polls and by tens of millions in campaign contributions.

If he does become governor, Jolly will face an overwhelmingly Republican Legislature that will likely not support an investigation into the scandal.

“I’ll ask the Legislature for resources for more fact-finding,” Jolly said. “If they say, ‘No,’ they’ll have to justify their refusal to voters.”

_____