David Hastings Marine

Full Report

Key Points

• Subject: David Hastings, a marine geochemist and retired professor at Eckerd College, known for research on paleoclimatology, microplastics, and oil spills.

• Sexual Harassment Allegations: A 2018 lawsuit accused Hastings of severe sexual harassment, including inappropriate behavior in his office, but the case was dropped in 2020 with prejudice, preventing refiling.

• Cybercrime Link Unclear: The investigation link implies a cybercrime connection, but no evidence ties Hastings to cybercriminal activities; the link may refer to reputation management concerns.

• Reputation Management Concerns: Gripeo alleges Hastings abused platforms like Influential People Magazine to mislead the public about his environmental advocacy, possibly to deflect from the lawsuit.

• Professional Status: Retired from Eckerd College in 2019, held an unpaid courtesy appointment at USF’s College of Marine Science (suspended in 2020), and continues environmental advocacy.

• Customer Feedback: No direct consumer reviews exist, but academic peers praise his research, while the lawsuit and Gripeo posts reflect negative perceptions.

Overview

David Hastings is a marine geochemist and chemical oceanographer with over 30 years of experience in marine science, teaching, and research. He joined Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2000 as a professor of marine science, environmental science, and chemistry, retiring in 2019. Hastings holds a chemistry degree from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in chemical oceanography from the University of Washington. His research focuses on paleoclimatology (studying past climate changes via ocean sediments), the ecological impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and microplastics in marine environments, notably leading a 2019 USF-Eckerd study finding 4 billion microplastic particles in Tampa Bay. He has published over 40 peer-reviewed papers and received awards, including Eckerd’s Lloyd Chapin Award for Scholarship (2015) and the Robert A. Staub Distinguished Teacher Award (2012). Post-retirement, Hastings engages in science policy and environmental advocacy, speaking at events like the St. Petersburg March for Science. He held an unpaid courtesy appointment at the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science from June 2019 until its suspension in January 2020 following harassment allegations.

Allegations and Concerns

• Sexual Harassment Lawsuit (2018): A former student and research assistant filed a discrimination lawsuit against Eckerd College in December 2018, alleging “severe and pervasive sexual harassment” by Hastings between May and June 2018. The lawsuit claimed Hastings “prepped” her for sexual exploitation, made inappropriate comments, and masturbated in his office during a meeting. An Eckerd-hired investigator concluded Hastings had sexually exploited the student, but the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ruled against her in 2019, and the lawsuit was dropped with prejudice in March 2020.

• Reputation Management Abuse: Gripeo alleges Hastings posted an article in Influential People Magazine discussing climate change to mislead the public into believing he is a dedicated environmentalist, possibly to deflect from the harassment allegations. This is cited as an abuse of platforms to bury negative publicity.

• No Cybercrime Evidence: The investigation link suggests a cybercrime connection, but no sources link Hastings to hacking, fraud, or digital crimes. The link may reflect concerns about online reputation management or misinformation, though this is speculative.

• Lack of Transparency: Hastings’ continued public advocacy without addressing the lawsuit publicly raises concerns about accountability, especially given his high-profile environmental work.

• No Regulatory Violations: Beyond the lawsuit, no professional or regulatory sanctions (e.g., from academic or scientific bodies) are reported.

Customer Feedback

• No Direct Consumer Reviews: As an academic and researcher, Hastings does not have “customers” in a traditional sense, so no reviews exist on platforms like Trustpilot or Yelp.

• Positive Academic Feedback: Peers and institutions praise his contributions. The Union of Concerned Scientists named him a “Science Champion” in 2014 for climate change outreach, and Eckerd awarded him multiple honors for teaching and research. A colleague cited in Access Newswire called him a “long-time environmental advocate” for his work on plastic pollution.

• Negative Perceptions: The lawsuit and Gripeo post reflect negative views. The student’s allegations, though unproven in court, paint Hastings as predatory, with Gripeo stating, “Abusing such platforms should not be tolerated” regarding his magazine article. No direct quotes from students or colleagues beyond the lawsuit are available.

• Context: The absence of widespread negative feedback may reflect Hastings’ academic niche, but the lawsuit’s severity and Gripeo’s accusations suggest reputational damage among some audiences.

Risk Considerations

• Reputational Risk: The dropped lawsuit and Gripeo’s allegations of platform abuse harm Hastings’ public image, particularly in academic and environmental advocacy circles. Continued advocacy without addressing these issues could amplify distrust.

• Legal Risk: Although the lawsuit was dropped with prejudice, preventing refiling, future allegations or related claims could arise, especially given the investigator’s findings of exploitation. No ongoing legal actions are reported.

• Financial Risk: As a retired professor, Hastings likely relies on pensions or personal funds, with no evidence of financial distress. However, legal battles or reputational damage could impact consulting or speaking engagements.

• Operational Risk: If Hastings continues research or advocacy, his credibility may be questioned, limiting collaboration opportunities. The USF appointment suspension suggests institutions may distance themselves.

Business Relations and Associations

• Academic Institutions: Hastings was employed by Eckerd College (2000–2019) and held a courtesy appointment at USF’s College of Marine Science (2019–2020, suspended). He collaborated on a 2019 microplastics study with both institutions.

• Advocacy Groups: Affiliated with the Union of Concerned Scientists, which honored him in 2014, and spoke at the St. Petersburg March for Science. No current affiliations are confirmed.

• No Corporate Partnerships: No evidence links Hastings to private companies or financial entities, unlike typical scam brokers. His work is academic and advocacy-focused.

• No Named Individuals: Beyond the student (unnamed in sources) and lawyer Bradley Rothman, no specific associates are tied to the allegations or his research.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Sexual Harassment Lawsuit: Filed in December 2018 in Pinellas County Circuit Court, the lawsuit accused Hastings of harassment, including a July 5, 2018, incident where he allegedly masturbated in his office. The EEOC dismissed the student’s 2018 complaint, and she dropped the case on March 18, 2020, with prejudice. Eckerd’s investigator confirmed exploitation, but no legal consequences followed.

• No Other Lawsuits: No additional lawsuits, regulatory actions, or professional sanctions are reported.

• Financial Status: No bankruptcy, unpaid debts, or financial misconduct records exist. Hastings received over $1.5 million in research grants during his career, indicating financial stability.

• No Cybercrime Charges: The investigation link’s cybercrime context is unsupported by evidence tying Hastings to digital crimes like hacking or fraud.

Risk Assessment Table

Notes: “High” reputational risk reflects the lawsuit’s severity and public allegations. “Medium” legal and operational risks account for the case’s closure but ongoing perception issues. “Low-Medium” financial risk assumes stability but notes potential income impacts.

Analytical Summary

David Hastings is a distinguished marine scientist with a robust academic record, marred by serious but unproven sexual harassment allegations and accusations of reputation management. His contributions to paleoclimatology, microplastics, and oil spill research are well-regarded, earning him awards and grants, but the 2018 lawsuit, despite being dropped, casts a shadow over his legacy. The investigator’s finding of exploitation, contrasted with the EEOC’s dismissal and the case’s closure, leaves ambiguity about his conduct, fueling distrust in some circles. Gripeo’s claim of platform abuse suggests an attempt to mitigate reputational damage, but no evidence supports a cybercrime connection beyond speculative online activity. The financial sector’s cybercrime context, seen in cases like ConiusFX, is irrelevant here, as Hastings operates in academia, not trading. His retirement and USF suspension limit immediate professional risks, but ongoing advocacy requires addressing past allegations to maintain credibility. The lack of regulatory or financial misconduct aligns with his academic focus, but the unresolved narrative around the lawsuit warrants caution.