The fired state employee who leaked plans to develop nine Florida state parks with golf courses, hotels and other amenities claims in a new lawsuit that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration retaliated against him.
Whistleblower James Gaddis alleges in a lawsuit that he received “disparate treatment and retaliation” from DeSantis, the former head of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Shawn Hamilton, and the agency’s human resources director, Jake Vick, after he released information on the secret plans.
Gaddis filed a civil complaint May 29 in the circuit court in Leon County, which includes Tallahassee.
Claiming wrongful termination, Gaddis is seeking damages of at least $50,000, according to court records. A spokesperson for the environmental department, Alexandra Kuchta, said the agency doesn’t comment on pending litigation.
A spokesperson for the governor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The seven-page complaint claims Gaddis’ former team, the Office of Park Planning, was directed around Aug. 1 last year to begin making maps and crafting the park development plans.
Parks employees were told to not talk to any colleagues about the plans, the complaint alleges.
Gaddis grew increasingly frustrated with the rushed secrecy behind the plans that would bring “significant environmental destruction,” according to the lawsuit, filed by Tallahassee-based employment and civil rights lawyer Marie Mattox.
“(Gaddis) felt as if he was mapping...
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