Sanford, FL – This week, Floridians learned that a grand jury investigating the Hope Florida scandal found that Tallahassee insiders stole $10 million of Florida taxpayers’ money that was supposed to be used to fund health insurance for poor children, and funnelled it through dark money political action committees and into the Republican Party of Florida’s bank account. As no one has taken responsibility for this decision, no criminal charges have been brought. While the grand jury called on the Florida legislature to take action, the next session will not begin until 2027.
Bale Dalton, Navy helicopter pilot and the Democratic nominee for Congress in Florida’s Seventh District, issued the following statement:
“This isn’t hard: corrupt politicians should go to jail. Anyone who steals our hard-earned money should be behind bars. But no one is being held accountable for stealing from Floridians, because Tallahassee and D.C. insiders are circling the wagons and protecting their own.
This includes my opponent Ryan Elijah who’s been utterly silent on this issue – after being “recruited” to run for office by these same sleazy insiders.
Floridians deserve accountability, which is why I’m calling for a real investigation of the Hope Florida scandal, that will identify who’s responsible and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. Our elected officials and political appointees stole from us and those responsible need to go to jail. Anyone who can’t say those words out loud is utterly unfit for office.”
ABOUT BALE DALTON:
Bale Dalton is a decorated Navy Reserve Captain and former NASA Chief of Staff who has always answered the call to serve America. One of four raised in a hardworking Central Florida family, Bale graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and has served in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve for 24 years. He deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and the Pacific, flying Navy helicopters and directing air combat support with Navy SEALs in Afghanistan.
Following active duty, he worked for Senator Bill Nelson, helping Florida veterans access the care and benefits they had earned. After an additional stint on active duty, Bale returned to government service as NASA Chief of Staff. At NASA, he managed 16,500 employees and helped run one of the federal government’s most effective agencies.
After a lifetime of service, Bale is now running to represent his home, Florida’s 7th Congressional District, in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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