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Disney Asks to Delay DeSantis Lawsuit Again

disney desantis lawsuit delay
Credit: Disney/Canva

It seems this saga is never going to end! Disney reportedly requested a second court delay for the DeSantis lawsuit.

The legal battle between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and The Walt Disney Company has been stretching on for years now. From a back and forth about the “Don’t Say Gay” law (which Disney claimed was government retaliation), AKA the Parental Rights in Education Act, to lawsuits that both parties have flung at the other, the situation seems to sustain itself.

desantis losing disney fight

Disney CEO Bob Iger, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis / Credit: Disney; Gage Skidmore, Flickr

Disney Asks for Delay in DeSantis Appointees’ Lawsuit

As Quartz reported, Disney has asked for a second court delay in a state court case involving the battle with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s appointed district board. Most recently, in the Disney vs. DeSantis‘ appointees’ lawsuit, “the company accused them and the governor’s office of stonewalling requests for documents that are part of the litigation.”

Because of the denial of Disney’s request, the company is arguing that “it needs another six months to prepare for filing a motion since it hasn’t gotten the documents in a timely manner.”

Further, a district employee added that since Gov. Ron DeSantis and the GOP-controlled Florida Legislature took control of the district’s board by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ appointees, the district has become particularly politicized, resulting in around 50 of its 370 employees leaving.

"Partners" statue, Cinderella Castle, Disney's Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World Resort

“Partners” statue in front of Cinderella Castle, Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World Resort / Credit: Disney

“There is a very, very, very politically motivated board, and I know we try not to acknowledge that, but that is a huge reason why a lot of people are leaving,” Erin O’Donnell, the district’s public records administrator, said in a deposition.

O’Donnell continued, “Other people may have had their own issues with leadership … but a lot of people have left just due to the entire shakeup of the district.”

For its part, the district’s board denied the claims of denying Disney’s request in the legal battle. Per court papers, they argued that they had provided the appropriate documents and went so far as to accuse Disney of going on “a fishing expedition to score political points” and “accusing the district of misbehavior when there is none.”

Former Disney CEO Bob Iger and new Disney CEO Bob Chapek

Disney CEO Bob Iger and former Disney CEO Bob Chapek at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park in Walt Disney World Resort, Central Florida / Credit: Disney

Both parties’ attorneys have also spoken on the matter. As Quartz reported,

In court papers, Disney said DeSantis’ office hadn’t produced a single requested document and “relied on excuses that are as inconsistent as they are unbelievable.” Nick Meros, an attorney for the governor’s office, said Tuesday that his office doesn’t comment on pending litigation.

This isn’t all. As part of court papers, an email to Disney attorneys reveals that Meros said Disney’s requests were “broad and unwieldy.”

Stay tuned to Disney Fanatic for the latest Disney news.

About Priyanka Kumar

Priyanka is a writer, artist, avid reader, and travel enthusiast based in Chicago. In her free time, she is probably walking by the lake, catching up on the latest releases on TV, or spending inordinate amounts of time rewatching Moana, Encanto, and her Disney Channel life-long favorites Zack and Cody wreak havoc on the Tipton.

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