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Florida DEP official says leak of state parks plan by fired worker 'felt like sabotage'

James Gaddis says he started working on the parks plan Aug. 1, but new details from a DEP official suggest the timeline doesn't align

Money continues to pour in for a whistleblower who was fired last week for leaking a controversial state parks plan. Supporters are chipping in from across the nation.

Florida's Great Outdoors Initiative nine state parks

By: Forrest Saunders

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) official told Scripps Tampa that the alleged leak of plans to add amenities like a golf course to state parks "felt like sabotage." It comes as new details emerge about the former DEP employee allegedly behind it all, James Gaddis.

The story broke in late August after news outlets were tipped off that DEP was planning extensive additions to nine state parks, including lodging, disc and traditional golf courses, and pickleball courts.

Gaddis, a map maker for DEP, told WPTV this week that he felt plans were being rushed and that the public comment period lacked enough time for actual public comment. This prompted him to release some of the plan's details to a third party.

Florida DEP worker fired for allegedly leaking controversial state park plans

"I was disgusted, but I was just thinking, if we, if the public, actually knew about this, what we were proposing here, there's going to be a lot of outrage," Gaddis said. "And, you know, obviously us, you know, keeping having to keep quiet about this the whole time. It's just like something's gotta give here."

Gaddis said he started working on the parks plan on Aug. 1 — but new details from a DEP official suggest the timeline doesn't align.

Records show Gaddis was granted access to the parks plan file on Aug 12. He generated content that ended up in his leaked memo less than 24 hours later and disseminated it sometime between Aug 13-19.

Accessed Map — Digital log showing the first time Gaddis accessed the park plan drive.

On background, the DEP source said Gaddis' leaked information did not accurately represent the Great Outdoors Initiative, nor did it receive approval from Gaddis' superiors before distribution. According to the official, Gaddis created it and leaked it shortly after that.

Screenshot showing Gaddis created the map and leaked memo on a DEP computer

"The 'memo' was not approved by anyone in the department, nor was it part of any approved project documents," said the source. "The 'memo' was created on a work laptop, and it was a misrepresentation of the process and proposals."

As evidence of misrepresentation, the DEP official cited a map of Jonathan Dickinson State Park, which Gaddis had created.

While it's true a golf course was considered to replace the defunct military facility at the park, the DEP source said its boundaries were never confirmed, and there was never an approved project entitled "Greenside Oasis," suggesting that Gaddis invented that on his own.

Map that was allegedly leaked by Gaddis including “Greenside Oasis” development.

The source further noted that if Gaddis had issues with the state parks plan, he never mentioned them to supervisors before the leak.

"At no time were any concerns brought to the attention of superiors," said the source.

Gaddis was later terminated for the leak. According to a DEP dismissal letter sent to the employee — Gaddis was terminated after he "intentionally released unauthorized and inaccurate information to the public." The letter offers four violations as a "legal basis:" Conduct Unbecoming a Public Employee, Violation of Law or Department Rules, Negligence x2.

It goes on to say that Gaddis created, authored and disseminated at least one document "without direction or permission."

"This information was further confirmed by your verbal admission," the letter reads. "You also admitted to creating this document during work hours using Department equipment."

There are also new questions about whether Gaddis was truthful on his DEP employment application. It comes after news broke this week that the mapmaker was pressed to resign from a previous state job at Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration for allegedly stalking a female colleague.

After reviewing Gaddis' employment records at DEP, officials found he listed "Resigned to pursue a change in career path" as a reason for leaving AHCA, not noting the forced departure listed in his previous agency’s dismissal letter.

Public outcry about the state parks' plan has been fierce and bipartisan. Republicans and Democrats denounced the idea as unnecessary. Environmental groups and Floridians staged protests at parks listed in the concepts.

“All you have to do is think about the creatures that live in the state parks— do they really want the noise from a pickleball court?" said the Sierra Club's Cris Costello during a protest at DEP headquarters last month. "State parks are not city parks… It is very clear to everyone in the state that this is a horrible idea, and we plan to shut it down."

While DEP initially planned to hold one-hour public comment meetings across the state to gather feedback, Gov. Ron DeSantis later announced the plans would go back to the drawing board, calling them "half-baked" and "not ready for primetime."

After backlash, DeSantis sends state park changes back to the drawing board

“So, yeah, so this was something that was leaked. It was leaked. It was not approved by me, I never saw saw that…" DeSantis during a news conference held last week. "Here's the thing, I'd rather not spend any money on this, right? I mean, if people don't want improvements, then don't do it."

The governor later said the initiative needed more input and that the public hearing process could restart sometime next year.

Read more of WPTV's coverage of this issue and protests below: