Tom Van Lent, a hydrologist and former chief scientist at the Everglades Foundation, received a 10-day jail sentence for contempt of court related to an accusation of stealing trade secrets. His departure from the foundation in 2022 was controversial, particularly due to his warnings that a key reservoir project would not meet objectives. Van Lent publicly expressed his frustration but emphasized the importance of protecting privacy and scientific integrity. His commitment to the Everglades continues with plans to work for another nonprofit organization focused on environmental facts.
"The foundation has no trade secrets, but they do wish to hide anything that would embarrass them or worse," Van Lent told WLRN News outside the Miami-Dade County courthouse before surrendering.
"While I remain frustrated and angry at this injustice, I believe that serving 10 days in jail is worth protecting my and my wife's privacy and standing up for science and the Everglades."
Van Lent had argued the project would likely fall short of providing clean freshwater - a primary aim of the massive $23 billion restoration effort - because lawmakers had scaled back its size.
He tweeted that he was leaving to work for another Everglades nonprofit, Friends of the Everglades, "who put facts over politics."
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