Worker who leaked plans to build golf courses in Florida parks files whistleblower suit
James Gaddis alleges that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection retaliated against him for sharing details of the proposals, which caused bipartisan outrage and sparked protests. Ultimately the plans were scuttled.
A spokesperson for the department declined to comment, saying the agency does not do so with pending litigation.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Gaddis, who was a consultant in DEP's Office of Park Planning, says he was directed to draw up 'secret maps' to build golf courses, hotels and pickleball courts in nine parks. Park staffers were ordered not to talk to any colleagues about the proposals, which in Gaddis' view amounted to destroying 'globally significant' environments.
The experience felt like 'mapping out a future crime scene,' according to the lawsuit, which was filed in Leon County.
Gaddis copied documents onto a flash drive and shared it with an unnamed intermediary, the lawsuit says, and the next day the Tampa Bay Times wrote about the plans.
Gaddis says he was called into a meeting by a supervisor and asked if he shared the documents, which he admitted to. He was put on administrative leave and later fired, and the suit says that amounted to disparate treatment and retaliation.
The complaint seeks damages of at least $100,000.
The Republican-dominated state Legislature has since passed a bill banning development in state parks, and DeSantis signed it into law.
Gaddis started an online fundraiser to help cover expenses, with an initial goal of $10,000. As of June 11, it had brought in more than $258,000.
___
Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Sun
an hour ago
- Toronto Sun
Haitian police arrest a former senator accused of working with gangs to attack a peaceful community
Published Aug 03, 2025 • 1 minute read FILE - Senator Nenel Cassy speaks to journalists after a news conference in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Oct. 3, 2019. Photo by Rebecca Blackwell / AP BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Police in Haiti have arrested a former senator who has been charged with conspiring against the state and financing criminal organizations. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Nenel Cassy was arrested on Saturday while he was at a restaurant in Petionville, a wealthy district of the capital, Port-au Prince, Haiti's National Police said in a post published on Facebook. The police shared photos of the former senator in handcuffs, next to heavily armed officers wearing ski masks. Cassy, who was designated as a corrupt actor by the U.S. State Department in 2023, was accused by Haiti's police in February of backing gang members who launched attacks on Kenscoff, a wealthy neighborhood 10 kilometers (6 miles) outside Port-su-Prince, that had been largely untouched by Haiti's gang violence. Dozens of people were killed in the February attacks including farmers who worked in the nearby hills and a 2-month-old baby. Gangs control 90% of Haiti's capital, according to the United Nations, and in recent months they have been launching attacks on previously peaceful communities in order to seize more territory. More than 5,6000 people were reported killed in Haiti last year, with gang violence leaving more than one million people homeless in recent years, according to the U.N. Toronto Blue Jays Homes Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Columnists
Toronto Star
an hour ago
- Toronto Star
Israeli minister prays at flashpoint holy site as officials say 27 aid-seekers killed in Gaza
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A far-right Israeli minister visited and prayed at Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site on Sunday, triggering regional condemnation and fears that the provocative move could further escalate tensions. The visit came as hospitals in Gaza said 27 more Palestinians seeking food aid were killed by Israeli fire. With Israel facing global criticism over famine-like conditions in the besieged strip, the visit by Itamar Ben-Gvir to the hillside compound threatened to further set back efforts by international mediators to halt Israel's nearly two-year military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Toronto Star
2 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Israeli minister prays at flashpoint holy site as officials report 27 aid-seekers killed in Gaza
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A far-right Israeli minister visited and prayed at Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site on Sunday, triggering regional condemnation and fears that the provocative move could further escalate tensions. The visit came as hospitals in Gaza reported that 27 more Palestinians seeking food aid were killed by Israeli fire. With Israel already facing global criticism over famine-like conditions in the besieged strip, the visit by Itamar Ben-Gvir to the hillside compound threatened to further set back efforts by international mediators to halt Israel's nearly two-year military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
