Kathmandu— In 2024, Florida voters narrowly rejected 'Amendment 3,' a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana. However, a recent grand jury report leaked to CBS News Miami has revealed that state officials misappropriated millions of dollars in taxpayer money through a charity and into Republican political action committees (PACs) to defeat the measure. The scheme involved Governor Ron DeSantis's wife, the current Attorney General James Uthmeier, and former Attorney General now US Senator.

Grand Jury Report Details Misappropriation

The grand jury report concluded that funds were misappropriated as part of a sophisticated scheme to fund political activities. The report noted the expedited nature of the movement and disbursement of these funds, indicating their use in defeating Amendment 3. However, the grand jury could not determine specific individuals responsible for each element of the criminal conspiracy and did not issue indictments.

Political Responses to the Scandal

Governor Ron DeSantis dismissed the leak of the grand jury report as a crime in itself. James Uthmeier, now the Attorney General and central figure in the embezzlement operation, called it 'a politically motivated hoax' that shows Democrats colluded with the press to break the law.

The next steps should include a new investigation into the scandal and another vote on recreational marijuana legalization, free from political interference.

(With inputs from CounterPunch)

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Originally published on abcnews.com.np.