Former Florida state employee James Gaddis is fired after leaking plans to develop golf courses and hotels in state parks. Gaddis, hailed as a hero, stands by his actions despite dismissal.
Florida, Bollywood Fever: James Gaddis, a former employee of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), was reportedly fired after leaking plans to develop golf courses, hotels, and other recreational facilities in some of Florida’s state parks.
Despite his dismissal, Gaddis, who described himself as an “ethical whistleblower,” stands by his decision to make the public aware of the proposals, according to the Palm Beach Post.
Gaddis, a cartographer, revealed that he was tasked with creating conceptual maps for projects that included golf courses, pickleball courts, and 350-room hotels in nine state parks, stretching from Miami to the Panhandle.
The proposed developments, set in some of the state’s most pristine and globally rare environments, led Gaddis to take action.
“I just happen to be a guy in the middle of all this and the clock was ticking, and I figured someone has to step up to the plate and stop the madness,” Gaddis explained.
After creating the maps, including plans for developments in areas like Anastasia State Park, Gaddis said he became increasingly distressed by the scope of the projects.
Unable to tolerate it any longer, he drafted a summary of the proposals on his work computer and leaked the information, sparking public outcry and protests.
The backlash ultimately forced the department to withdraw the plans, with Governor Ron DeSantis later describing the initiative as “half-baked” and “not ready for prime time.”
Gaddis was placed on administrative leave on August 30 and received a dismissal letter the next day for violating department policies. A DEP spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
Despite his firing, Gaddis has received widespread support on social media, and a GoFundMe page set up for him has raised over $100,000 as of Tuesday afternoon.
Gaddis, a single father to an 11-year-old, earned an annual salary of $49,346.04 according to state records.
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