Florida's Department of Children and Families (DCF) has sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Orlando Sentinel regarding its coverage of the Hope Florida Foundation, which is linked to Governor Ron DeSantis' wife.

The DCF's letter accused the Sentinel's reporter of using threats to coerce foster families into making negative comments about the nonprofit, which is currently under investigation.

In response, Orlando Sentinel Executive Editor Roger Simmons denied the allegations, asserting that the claims about the reporter's conduct were false and defending the newspaper's right to report freely.

The investigation into Hope Florida has drawn scrutiny from Republican lawmakers, including state Rep. Alex Andrade, who have raised concerns about the alleged funneling of $10 million from a state Medicaid settlement to political committees, suggesting potential money laundering and wire fraud.

This criminal investigation was initiated in May 2025 amid allegations of possible wrongdoing involving the DeSantis administration and Attorney General James Uthmeier.

Prosecutors in Tallahassee confirmed the ongoing investigation into the Hope Florida Foundation following a records request from the Associated Press.

Reports have indicated that many claims made by Hope Florida regarding its success stories are often unsubstantiated, with individuals still struggling despite being featured in promotional materials.

Hope Florida is a state-created charity program designed to connect individuals in need with private nonprofits, but it has faced criticism for being perceived as a political tool for Casey DeSantis.

The Sentinel's editorial board has vowed to continue investigating Hope Florida, emphasizing the importance of transparency and the media's role in holding officials accountable.

Legal experts have criticized the DCF's cease-and-desist letter as an unconstitutional attempt at prior restraint, aimed at suppressing negative news coverage.

Media attorney Barbara Petersen described the DCF's actions as unprecedented and alarming for press freedoms, marking a concerning trend in government-media relations in Florida.

Despite the intimidation tactics, the Sentinel remains committed to publishing its findings and urges transparency regarding the ongoing investigation.