Florida DEP employee fired for allegedly leaking controversial state park plans

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Following the devastating revelation of a state program that called for the construction of golf courses, pickleball courts and more in state parks, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has fired the employee who allegedly leaked the information.

The Department of Environmental Protection terminated James Gaddis' employment, saying he admitted his role in leaking information about the state park plans.

“The Department recently became aware that you intentionally released unauthorized and inaccurate information to the public. At least one document was created, written and distributed by you without instruction or permission. This information was further confirmed by your verbal admission. You admitted to creating this document during working hours using Department equipment,” the termination letter said.

The letter continued: “Your actions constitute violations of Department policies and procedures and have enabled us to take this action.”

Gaddis, for his part, set up a GoFundMe campaign and said he had “informed the public about a secret, fast-tracked plan to build golf courses, 350-room hotels, disc golf courses and pickleball courts in critical habitat in nine of our Florida state parks.”

Gaddis called the proposals “appalling” and said the plans would not be released until the day before the planned public meetings.

“I saw myself as a public servant first and foremost and felt that this was the only ethical thing to do,” Gaddis wrote on his GoFundMe page. “This issue became much more important than an individual's employment status with the DEP.”

Frustrated by what they see as a lack of transparency in the park plans, state Reps. Anna Eskamani (Democrat, Orlando) and Angie Nixon (Democrat, Jacksonville) sent a letter to the DEP and the governor's office urging for more information.

“With our letter we want to provide clarity,” said Eskamani. “Who was involved, how could this happen, why did it happen so quickly? And what can we do in Parliament to prevent something like this from happening again?”

Eskamani, a frequent critic of DeSantis, said past requests often took months to fulfill, even though Florida's Sunshine Laws provide transparency. This time, the lawmaker said she will escalate things to make sure Floridians get insight into the details.

“And if necessary, we may hire an attorney,” she said. “I mean, the public in the state of Florida has a right to know. If the state drags its feet, we will certainly do whatever it takes to get those records.”

After the plan became public, there was a strong backlash from both political camps.

The plans were put on hold and Governor DeSantis had previously stated that he would do whatever the public wanted, even if that meant that nothing would change at the parks.