opinion

What's behind drive to punish Everglades Foundation's biggest donor? | Gil Smart

Could the #MeToo movement take down the Everglades Foundation?

In late February, a group of protesters crashed an Everglades Foundation fundraiser at The Breakers, a swanky Palm Beach resort. Members of "Women United Now" demanded the foundation repudiate Paul Tudor Jones, the hedge fund billionaire who co-founded the conservation group and donated $3.5 million to it over the past two years alone.

Their rationale: Jones is/was a friend of disgraced Hollywood mogul and accused sexual predator Harvey Weinstein and a member of the board of The Weinstein Co. Last year, as the drip-drip-drip of allegations became a tsunami, Jones sent Weinstein an email saying "I love you," and assuring him the whole thing would blow over.

The protesters were shown the door, but the group continues to demand the Everglades Foundation remove Jones from its board and forfeit all the money Jones has donated, perhaps donating it to Weinstein's victims.

That could cripple the foundation and even undermine the cause of the Everglades itself.

A Jones spokesman suggests that's the whole point.

But Women United Now founder and leader Catrena Norris Carter says it's not about the environment. It's about how Jones protected Weinstein.

"It’s time these people, and groups like the Everglades Foundation, stop protecting predators and stand with the victims," said Carter in an email.

Carter appears to be the real deal. An Alabama resident and community activist, she's rubbed shoulders with the likes of Rosa Parks and Jesse Jackson. In February, she was named a "Woman of Influence" by the political website Alabama Today; she's been involved in a number of civil rights groups and last year helped mobilize voters to defeat Judge Roy Moore, the right-wing Republican Senate candidate.

She she founded "Women United Now" in response to the "cultural problem that was hiding in plain sight. Powerful men have been abusing and exploiting women, and other powerful men have been complicit in these actions by ignoring it and worse, covering it up," she said in her email.

The group is incorporated as a 501(c)(4), a social welfare group that, under IRS rules, isn't required to disclose its donors.

I asked Carter about those donors. Specifically: A Jones spokesman, Stu Loeser, has suggested Carter is a front for corporate interests that oppose the Everglades Foundation.

Think Big Sugar.

"The sugar industry has a documented history of supporting front groups that attack Everglades supporters," Loeser told the Miami New Times. "We have no reason to believe this is not another sugar-fronted operation."

So I asked Carter if she gets sugar money. Her answer: "We have not received any funding from any major industry including the sugar industry. Jones' spokesperson has made a baseless claim in an attempt to avoid addressing the actual issue."

I also asked U.S. Sugar if the firm or its executives donated to Women United Now. Spokesperson Judy Sanchez gave a one-word answer: "No."

Florida Crystals did not respond to inquiries.

Nor, for that matter, did the Everglades Foundation itself.

In addition to the Everglades Foundation, Women United Now has also targeted the University of Virginia, where Jones also is a major donor. In addition to Jones, it's targeted two other former Weinstein Co. board members, James Dolan (owner of the NBA's New York Knicks) and Marc Lasry (co-owner of the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks).

But Jones and the Everglades Foundation have been the group's focus — arguably more so than Weinstein himself.

So, a few things here:

1. Women United Now is correct in saying what Jones did was scummy. And it does reveal an entrenched mindset that allows the Harvey Weinsteins of the world to get away with their alleged crimes.

2. But given the legitimacy of the message, it's curious the group opted to register as a 501(c)(4). These "dark money" groups, as the Washington Post noted back in 2013, "play a very influential role in politics. ... If you are a donor looking to influence elections but do not want to reveal your identity, the 501(c)(4) is an attractive option through which to send your cash."

Whomever's supporting Women United Now, they must write big checks.

The group sends out press releases via the PRNewswire service.

Earlier this year, the group released digital and TV ads airing in Virginia markets demanding Jones's name be removed from all University of Virginia buildings.

And in late April, the group booked a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to lambaste Jones.

Yet on the organization's website, there's no link to donate. The group wants your name and contact info — but doesn't seem to need your money.

The only time I've seen grassroots like this is at a sod farm. If you get my drift.

3. The Everglades Foundation has been criticized by some environmental groups for being too quick to compromise. But it's a huge player in terms of Everglades restoration. Jones' money has been a big reason.

Take away that money and you undermine the cause. Period.

I asked Carter about that.

"We cannot comment on how the Everglades Foundation would be impacted if they were to donate Jones' contributions to Weinstein's victims," she responded. "However, it should concern all those that donate to them that they would rather maintain their association with Jones and his money, than stand with women against the culture of harassment and abuse."

Well, everyone ought to stand with women against Weinstein and all he represents.

But for a group committed to social justice to be so indifferent to how its demands could undermine an important environmental cause is pretty interesting.

Draw your own conclusions. But let's just say the case against Jones seems to be that he must be punished; and if that involves punishing the Everglades too, so be it.

I'm wary of that message.

Maybe you should be, too.

Gil Smart is a TCPalm columnist and a member of the Editorial Board. His columns reflect his opinion. Readers may reach him at gil.smart@tcpalm.com, by phone at 772-223-4741 or via Twitter at @TCPalmGilSmart.