Disney has filed a lawsuit claiming that the oversight government for Walt Disney World, which was taken over by appointees of Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this year, has failed to release documents and properly preserve records in violation of Florida public records law.
Quick Read
- Disney’s Lawsuit: Disney has filed a lawsuit against the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD), overseen by appointees of Governor Ron DeSantis, alleging violations of Florida public records law.
- Public Records Request Issue: The lawsuit claims that CFTOD has been slow in responding to Disney’s public records requests, including a failure to fully respond to a request made seven months ago, for which Disney paid over $2,400 to access emails and texts of board members.
- Ongoing Legal Battles: This lawsuit adds to ongoing legal disputes between Disney, DeSantis, and his appointees, including two pending lawsuits in federal and state courts regarding control of the government.
- Lawsuit Demands: Disney seeks judicial review of any claimed exempt documents, a declaration of CFTOD’s violation of state law, and the release of requested documents.
- Concerns Over Record Preservation: The lawsuit also raises concerns about the district’s practices, such as the use of personal emails and texts for district business without ensuring preservation, and the potential auto-deletion of relevant messages.
- Background of the Feud: The conflict between DeSantis and Disney began after Disney publicly opposed Florida’s “don’t say gay” law, leading DeSantis and Republican legislators to take control of the district that Disney had managed for over five decades.
- Staff Departures from CFTOD: Since the district’s takeover in February, around 50 out of 370 employees have left, fueling concerns about the loss of institutional knowledge and the potential impact on the district’s operational efficiency.
The Associated Press has the story:
Disney in lawsuit: DeSantis-appointed Govt is failing to release public records
Newslooks- ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)
Disney has filed a lawsuit claiming that the oversight government for Walt Disney World, which was taken over by appointees of Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this year, has failed to release documents and properly preserve records in violation of Florida public records law.
Disney said in the lawsuit filed Friday that the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, often referred to as CFTOD, has been so slow in fulfilling its public records duties that it has failed to respond completely to a request the company made seven months ago when it paid more than $2,400 to get emails and text messages belonging to the five district board members appointed by DeSantis.
Disney, DeSantis and the DeSantis appointees already are battling for control of the government in two pending lawsuits in federal and state court.
The public records lawsuit is asking a judge to review any documents that the district claims are exempt from being released, declare that the district is violating state public records law and order the district to release the documents that Disney has requested.
“CFTOD has prevented Disney from discovering the actions of its government through public records requests, in violation of Florida law,” said the lawsuit filed in state court in Orlando. “The Court should grant Disney relief.”
An email was sent to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District seeking comment.
The new lawsuit claims that the district is failing to follow public records laws in other ways, such as allowing the DeSantis-appointed board members to use personal email addresses and texts for district business without a process for making sure they are preserved and failing to make sure board members don’t auto-delete messages dealing with district business.
The feud between DeSantis and Disney started last year after the company publicly opposed the state’s so-called don’t say gay law, which bans classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades. The law was championed by DeSantis, who is running for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. In retaliation, DeSantis and Republican legislators took over the district Disney had controlled for more than five decades and installed five board members loyal to the governor.
Around 50 out of about 370 employees have left the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District since it was taken over in February, raising concerns that decades of institutional knowledge are departing with them, along with a reputation for a well-run government.
