DeSantis triumphs over Disney, potential end to secretive agreements.
DeSantis Scores Major Legal Victory Against Disney, Gov Could Blow Up ‘Backroom Deals’
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney are locked in a heated feud, and a state judge has just delivered a blow to the entertainment giant. The judge rejected Disney’s request to dismiss a lawsuit that could potentially strip the company of its own special district.
For over 50 years, the Walt Disney Company has enjoyed the privilege of governing itself within the Reedy Creek Improvement District, located in the Orlando area. This district provides public services, has its own first responders, and can even impose additional taxes.
However, in 2022, Disney executives clashed with Florida Republicans over the Parental Rights in Education Act, which prohibits schools from discussing gender identity and sexual orientation in younger grade levels. In response, the Republicans threatened to revoke Disney’s special tax breaks and self-governing status. They recently established the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, which replaced the Reedy Creek Improvement District and stripped Disney of its governing power over the board.
The new oversight board wasted no time and filed a motion to void all previous “backroom deals” that Disney had with the Reedy Creek board, according to Reuters.
A Florida judge rejected Disney’s request to dismiss the lawsuit on Friday, dealing a blow to the company’s case against DeSantis, which accuses him of “weaponizing” the state government against Disney.
Just in: Disney lost its attempt to have the state-level case against CFTOD/Reedy Creek dismissed.
This is not the federal case that focuses on Disney’s free speech rights. pic.twitter.com/fPfVjvKmGw
— Nick Papantonis WFTV (@NPapantonisWFTV) July 28, 2023
A Disney representative told Reuters that the decision “has no bearing” on the federal lawsuit and expressed confidence that Disney will ultimately prevail in both cases.
Will DeSantis win his lawsuit against Disney?
“We are fully confident Disney will prevail in both the federal and state cases,” the representative added.
In the federal lawsuit, which was filed in April, DeSantis is accused of using state government against Disney after the company opposed his education act. The case also involves Meredith Ivey, the former acting secretary of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
DeSantis has asked a federal judge to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming legislative immunity. Disney, on the other hand, has requested a trial delay until July 15, 2024, which coincides with the first day of the Republican National Convention.
LOL Disney asked for their lawsuit against DeSantis to begin on the same day as the Republican National Convention.
I wonder why… pic.twitter.com/LBn5gTtFax
— Marina Medvin (@MarinaMedvin) June 28, 2023
The federal case was initially assigned to Judge Mark Walker, but he recused himself due to a conflict of interest involving Disney stock ownership. The case is now presided over by Judge Allen Winsor, who was appointed by President Donald Trump.
The post DeSantis Scores Major Legal Victory Against Disney, Gov Could Blow Up ‘Backroom Deals’ appeared first on The Western Journal.
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