It seems the battle between Disney and DeSantis’ CFTOD board is still rife with lawsuits and challenges per this recent development.
The battle between the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board—i.e., the folks who represent Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis—and the Walt Disney Company has become the stuff of legend. Its various backs and forths made headlines for months, and parts of the fight even entertained fans immensely: think of the King Charles clause.
Briefly, it appeared as though the fight was starting to draw to an end with Disney amending its lawsuit; now the Mouse House has slapped another lawsuit on the CFTOD board.
Disney Sues DeSantis’ Board Once Again
As reported by Click Orlando, in a newly filed lawsuit, Disney is asking an Orange County Circuit Judge to set an “immediate” hearing for the case, accusing DeSantis’ board of “failing to preserve and turn over public records in violation of Florida law and the state’s constitution.”
“On the public records front, this has led to delays, inadequate preservation, storage and production of public records, and improper and unsupported claims of privilege and exemption from disclosure, in violation of the Florida Constitution and (Florida’s Public Record Act),” the lawsuit states.
NEW: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts filed a *new* lawsuit late Friday accusing the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District of “failing to preserve and turn over public records in violation of Florida law and the state’s constitution.”
Story: https://t.co/1k6szsZExi pic.twitter.com/hpolkdWzWF
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) December 23, 2023
Disney's lawsuit claims that “CFTOD has failed to fully respond to a public record request the company submitted to the government agency on May 11.”
It also asserts that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis-appointed agency has used “personal electronic devices and personal email and messaging accounts for government business” without allowing for proper and adequate processes to ensure the preservation of public records.
Disney also further commented in their lawsuit that as many as fifty employees have departed from CFTOD, and many remaining have lost faith in the board’s ability to do its job.
As of the publishing of this article, no CFTOD spokesperson has made an official comment on the matter.
Stay tuned to Disney Fanatic for further updates on this story and all other news relating to Governor DeSantis, Disney and more.
