Disney Claims DeSantis-Appointed Oversight Body is Slow in Furnishing Legal Documents

Walt Disney World has asserted in legal filings that the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, governed by appointees of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, has been sluggish in supplying necessary documents for an ongoing lawsuit. The litigation pertains to the control over design and construction activities within Disney’s extensive theme park resort in Central Florida.

In a recent legal move, Disney accused the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District of “shirking its responsibilities” and petitioned a Florida judge to postpone any rulings on the case’s advancement. This is until the entertainment company gains access to the essential documents and completes the required depositions to counter a summary judgment proposed by the district. A hearing has been slated for mid-December, with Disney requesting a delay of two and a half months for preparation.

According to court filings, Disney alleges that the district has “not produced a single document within nearly two months following the company’s requests, failed to meet mutually agreed-upon deadlines, and continues to retain information crucial for Disney’s development of its summary judgment rebuttal.”

Inquiries for comments were directed to a representative of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District via email.

The district, previously known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District, was under the influence of Disney-affiliated individuals for over 50 years until its control shifted to appointees of Governor DeSantis earlier this year. This change in governance followed Disney’s public opposition to a Florida state law that bans discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in early-grade classrooms. Governor DeSantis, who is presently a candidate for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, was a vocal advocate for this law.

Prior to this shift in control, the board, then comprised of Disney supporters, had executed agreements that transferred authority over design and construction at Disney World exclusively to the company. These agreements also barred the district from utilizing any Disney intellectual property without explicit permission from the company. The current board members, appointed by DeSantis, argue that these last-minute agreements effectively emasculate their authority and have initiated a lawsuit against Disney to invalidate these contracts.

In response, Disney has filed counterclaims asking the state court to confirm that the aforementioned agreements are both valid and enforceable. Additionally, Disney is seeking internal communications, such as emails and text messages, from the office of Governor DeSantis and various state agencies involved.

Disney lamented the current state of document production in its legal filings, stating that contributions have been “either entirely absent or grossly insufficient.”

Beyond the state-level litigation, Disney and Governor DeSantis, along with his associates, are also entangled in a federal lawsuit. Here, Disney has accused Governor DeSantis of infringing upon its First Amendment rights by penalizing the company for its public dissent against the law. Both DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District have filed motions requesting a federal judge to dismiss Disney’s First Amendment claim, terming it as lacking in merit.

For more information, follow Mike Schneider on the platform previously known as Twitter: @MikeSchneiderAP.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about DeSantis-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District lawsuit

More about DeSantis-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District lawsuit

• Disney’s Official Statement on the Lawsuit
• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ Press Release
• Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Website
• Court Filings and Legal Documents Related to the Case
• Previous Agreements Between Disney and the District
• Florida State Law on Classroom Discussions
• Federal Lawsuit Between Disney and DeSantis
• Mike Schneider’s Reporting on the Platform Formerly Known as Twitter