Two stories crossed my reading-glass-assisted eyes yesterday, both about waste, fraud. and abuse (FAW), and both from the state of Florida. And both are legacy news reports.
ABC News from October 21, 2026 reported a small-town Florida mayor was ACCUSED of enriching herself and family with a $50,000 Covid-era scheme for two parking lots and an “alleged” $500,000 donation from a non-profit organization. Kudos to catching a FAW perpetrator. In Florida. For thousands of dollars. In response to the case, Florida’s Attorney General said his state is “the state of law and order.” End quote.
The Tampa Bay Times* published the next story about a possible Hope Foundation FAW and who might or might not be involved. Florida’s Attorney General is quoted—this time–as saying the whole incident is a “nothing burger”, an interesting comment about $67 Million dollars overcharged and overpaid by Florida Health departments to a private insurance company, who was asked to repay the money to the State.
NOTE: Trying NOT to name companies or individuals as the shite may hit the fan, soon, and I’ve grown allergic to shite remover and don’t need any of it hitting me. Don’t trust this essay. Google a reputable source, read, and decide for yourself.
The Hope Foundation alleged FAW appears by reports to be a sophisticated FAW designed and coordinated by the highest levels of Florida’s political elites and power brokers. If any of it is true it will be a great movie or series on a streaming service in the near future. Even the State’s Supreme Court has weighed in, declaring a Grand Jury investigating the alleged FAW had “exceeded its authority and ordered the critical report to be fully expunged” after The Grand Jury “leaked” a “critical report” meant to be kept secret.
When you google for more, you’ll see the higher the amount of money, the more people involved, and the more time and money spent on controlling information. I’ve no real idea if anyone is guilty of FAW but those named in the Hope Foundation article want everyone to look the other way. Who cares about $67 million? Forget about The Hope Foundation. It’s all good. Go read about that mayor we (allegedly) caught. Or the welfare cheat. Or the able-bodied SNAP recipient.
For this essay, and essay, alone, assume a FAW verdict for both Florida incidents. Or assume both incidents are NOT FAW. Look how differently they are reported and spun. One publicized and applauded, one not so much.
It is a perfect example of why we need good, responsible journalism. If I was a podcaster or influencer, imagine the clicks if I made breathy declarations about guilt or innocence for either Florida case. Would you believe it?
But two important things. One, when you’re innocent, you welcome scrutiny and investigation, especially if you are a publicly elected official. Impartial scrutiny and investigation.** Two, the only thing we can do when power corrupts individuals is make sure the corrupters are held accountable, even if it is just to vote them out of office.
We have a current government rushing to accuse before investigating. The Reflecting Pool case is an example.
The same government offers pardons like tic tacs, often by whim and sometimes for benefit.
How can Law and Order survive?
PS Yes, they ALL*** do it: Every politician in every party has to decide how to handle power.
Some make the wrong decision.
*All ensuing quotes are from the Tampa Bay Times Article “Even a Deadly Hurricane didn’t stop Hope Florida deal. Here’s how it unfolded”, by Christopher Spata, dated 10/16/2026.
**Our courts are all a-goggle with useless lawsuits, counter lawsuits, and nuisance lawsuits, so stop thinking about prosecutions and look for convictions. They are rare. Reminder: lawyers get paid for both.
***Not just politicians but anyone exposed to power. Republican, Democrat, Independent, ad nauseam. Yes, Latin, again.
