Prominent Everglades Scientist Prepares for Jail Amid Bitter Legal Dispute with Former Employer

Inside Climate News · By Amy Green · last updated July 17, 2025 – 1:02 AM

Tom Van Lent is accused of stealing “trade secrets” from the influential Everglades Foundation. He says the foundation has mounted a politically motivated smear campaign.

By Amy Green

A prominent scientist whose work has helped steer a restoration of the Everglades that is among the most ambitious of its kind in human history will surrender Thursday (July 17) in Miami for a 10-day jail sentence, a consequence of a bitter legal dispute with his former employer.

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