Palmetto Bay Councilman Steve Cody filed a Florida Bar complaint against Attorney General James Uthmeier over the $10 million Hope Florida funding controversy.

The 16-page complaint, signed Aug. 30, asks Bar investigators to determine whether Uthmeier violated professional conduct rules involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, Political Cortadito reported. Cody filed the complaint in his individual capacity and said his allegations are based principally on the Leon County grand jury report made public earlier this year.

Cody is not accusing Uthmeier of any crime. He is asking the Bar to subpoena nonpublic evidence, give Uthmeier a chance to respond and determine whether the attorney general violated rules governing lawyer conduct.

The complaint cites Florida Bar Rules 3-4.3, 4-8.4(a) and 4-8.4(c), which address dishonesty and acts "contrary to honesty and justice."

Grand jury alleges scheme to fund political activities

A Leon County grand jury report, filed under seal Jan. 28 and later obtained by CBS News Miami, found that $10 million from a Centene Corp. Medicaid settlement was diverted to Hope Florida, first lady Casey DeSantis' signature initiative. The grand jury called it part of a "sophisticated scheme to fund political activities," the Orlando Sentinel reported.

The Miami Herald reported that the grand jury found Uthmeier, who served as Gov. Ron DeSantis' chief of staff at the time, was "in a position of authority" over officials involved in the settlement. Testimony identified him as having involvement in directing the money after it reached Hope Florida.

Hope Florida split the $10 million into two $5 million grants. Within a week of receiving its share, Save Our Society From Drugs transferred $4.75 million to Keep Florida Clean, a political committee chaired by Uthmeier that opposed the 2024 marijuana amendment. Secure Florida's Future, the second recipient, sent $3.75 million to the same committee. In total, at least $8.5 million of the $10 million reached Uthmeier's committee.

The grand jury found no criminal charges were warranted, saying no one would "take responsibility" for the original decision to send the money to Hope Florida.

Uthmeier dismissed the matter as a "big nothingburger" in April 2026, the Miami Herald reported. His office told CBS News Miami that the release of the grand jury report was the only crime committed in connection with Hope Florida.

Cody-Uthmeier feud traces back to Kirk assassination post

The complaint adds a new chapter to a conflict between Cody and Uthmeier that began in September 2025. Cody posted on Facebook hours after conservative activist Charlie Kirk's assassination, writing that Kirk was "a fitting sacrifice." He later apologized.

Uthmeier responded on X on Sept. 11, 2025: "If this Facebook post is legitimate, Steve Cody should resign from his position as Palmetto Bay Council member immediately."

The council voted 4-1 to censure Cody and asked then-Gov. DeSantis to investigate grounds for suspension. Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer sponsored a resolution, passed at a special meeting Nov. 17, 2025, that stripped Cody of committee assignments and barred him from speaking on the council's behalf.

The ACLU of Florida sued Palmetto Bay on Cody's behalf in federal court April 27, alleging unconstitutional retaliation for protected speech. Florida Politics reported that Cody is seeking $1 in damages plus attorneys' fees and a court order blocking the village from enforcing the punishments. A federal judge denied Palmetto Bay's motion to dismiss in June, and the case has moved into discovery.

Bar review has no set timeline as Uthmeier seeks election

Under Florida Bar procedures, intake lawyers can dismiss the complaint, open an investigation or send it to a grievance committee that decides whether probable cause exists for disciplinary charges. No timeline for a decision has been announced.

Uthmeier is running in the November general election for the attorney general seat against Democrat José Javier Rodríguez. His office had not publicly addressed Cody's Bar complaint as of Sept. 1.