Leaking clandestine plans to add hardscape amenities to Florida state parks cost James Gaddis his $49,000-a-year job at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
He knew the risk, but didn't foresee the windfall of gratitude that includes more than $180,000 in donations.
Gaddis, a 41-year-old single dad who works a side job on Saturdays, had set a goal of $10,000 through a GoFundMe account he set up last weekend to bridge him and his daughter until he could find another full-time job. Donations stood at $180,499 as of 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Two weeks ago, Gaddis couldn’t afford to replace the broken stereo in his car.
“I have never loved the people of the State of Florida more than I do right now,” Gaddis said. “I feel an overwhelming sense of thankfulness for the mind-boggling generosity of everyday folks of this state, and I will not let them down with the next steps I take. I will also ensure that I am transparent and accountable to the thousands of people that have helped me.”
Gaddis had worked at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for more than two years when he was asked in late July to begin mapping out golf courses, hotels and pickleball courts at nine state parks from Miami-Dade’s Oleta River to Grayton Beach in the Panhandle’s Walton County.
More:State parks whistleblower says he was fired, but had to 'stop the madness.' No regrets
Three golf courses were proposed for Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County.
Gaddis...
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