Walt Disney Co is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a state oversight board in Florida as part of its ongoing legal battle against Governor Ron DeSantis. The lawsuit, filed by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, aims to invalidate alleged “backroom deals” that favored Disney and violated state law.
Simultaneously, Disney is pursuing its own lawsuit against Governor DeSantis in federal court, accusing him of “weaponizing” state government against the company for criticizing a Florida law banning classroom discussions on sexuality and gender identity with younger children. DeSantis has publicly criticized “woke Disney” and rallied lawmakers to pass bills that transferred power over the oversight board from Disney to the governor, retroactively invalidating prior agreements made by the company.
Disney argues that the district’s lawsuit should be dismissed since the agreements with the prior board were nullified by the state. A dismissal would allow Disney to focus on its federal case, which claims that DeSantis violated the company’s constitutional right to free speech. Disney is seeking a federal court order to prevent the state from enforcing laws directed at the company. DeSantis has dismissed Disney’s lawsuit, stating that the company should operate under proper government oversight and not have special privileges.
The oversight district is requesting the state judge to allow its case to proceed, arguing that if the judge determines the prior agreements to be invalid, Disney’s federal case will be significantly weakened. The district claims that if Disney’s contracts are void, most of the company’s claims in the federal case would disappear.
The legal battle between Disney and Governor DeSantis has been ongoing for over a year, with both sides firmly entrenched in their positions. The outcome of the lawsuits could have significant implications for the relationship between the entertainment giant and the state of Florida.
Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware, editing by Deepa Babington
What are the allegations made by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District against Disney in their lawsuit?
Disney Fights to Dismiss Lawsuit by Florida Oversight Board in Battle Against Governor Ron DeSantis
In its ongoing legal feud with Governor Ron DeSantis, the Walt Disney Co is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a state oversight board in Florida. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has claimed that Disney benefited from alleged “backroom deals” that violated state law. However, Disney argues that these agreements were nullified by the state, and therefore, the lawsuit should be dismissed.
Simultaneously, Disney is pursuing its own lawsuit against Governor DeSantis in federal court, accusing him of using the state government as a weapon against the company. This stems from Disney’s criticism of a Florida law that bans classroom discussions on sexuality and gender identity with younger children. DeSantis has been openly critical of what he calls “woke Disney,” and has rallied lawmakers to pass bills that transfer power over the oversight board from Disney to the governor, effectively invalidating prior agreements made by the company.
By seeking dismissal of the oversight district’s lawsuit, Disney aims to focus on its federal case, which alleges that DeSantis violated the company’s constitutional right to free speech. Disney is seeking a federal court order to prevent the state from enforcing laws that specifically target the company. However, DeSantis has dismissed Disney’s lawsuit, arguing that the company should be subject to proper government oversight rather than receiving special privileges.
The oversight district is urging the state judge to allow their case to proceed, emphasizing that if the judge deems the prior agreements invalid, it would significantly weaken Disney’s federal case. They contend that if the contracts are voided, most of Disney’s claims in the federal lawsuit would collapse.
This legal battle between Disney and Governor DeSantis has been ongoing for more than a year, with both sides holding firm in their positions. The outcome of these lawsuits could bear significant implications for the relationship between the entertainment giant and the state of Florida.
This legal clash between Walt Disney Co. and Florida Oversight Board, in their dispute with Governor DeSantis, should be resolved amicably for the betterment of both parties. The dismissal of the lawsuit would potentially pave the way for constructive collaboration and consistent growth in the future.