Nonprofit demands transparency after sheriff’s baseless accusation appears linked to industry-backed effort to silence opposition.
A month after a Florida sheriff publicly and falsely accused Captains For Clean Water (CFCW) of inciting violent rhetoric online, the organization is taking action to uncover the truth behind what appears to be a politically motivated statement.
Hendry County Sheriff's public Facebook post falsely accusing Captains For Clean Water of promoting violent rhetoric on June 6, 2025.
This allegation, which appears to be part of a larger coordinated effort to intimidate CFCW’s advocacy, was fueled by interests tied to Big Sugar. In fact, after issuing the statement, the Florida sheriff admitted it was Big Sugar that brought the allegation to him. The timing and nature of the claim strongly suggest it was an attempt to silence opposition to a controversial and environmentally harmful rock mine proposal in the Everglades Agricultural Area—a project that CFCW has consistently opposed.
Our fight for clean water has made us a target for those who prioritize profit at the expense of public health and the environment. But we refuse to be silenced. We’re exposing the powerful interests working in the shadows to undermine our mission and mislead the public.
Capt. Chris Wittman, Co-Founder of Captains For Clean Water
In response to the sheriff's statement, CFCW has filed multiple public records requests—including with the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners. and the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office—to investigate who was behind the inflammatory and baseless “violent rhetoric” statement. These records are essential to uncovering potential collusion between political operatives and industry stakeholders working to suppress transparency and grassroots opposition.
For media inquiries, please contact Heather Nash at heather@captainsforcleanwater.org.
Captains For Clean Water is a Florida-based 501(c)3 grassroots nonprofit on a mission to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems for the use and enjoyment of all. Founded in 2016 by fishing guides, CFCW has united the outdoor industry, business community, and concerned citizens at the forefront of the fight for clean water — the lifeblood of Florida’s economy and $85.9 billion tourism industry. Learn more at captainsforcleanwater.org or follow along on YouTube, Instagram, X (formally known as Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok.
