CFTOD Chairman Martin Garcia Lashes Out At Disney
Marin Garcia, chairman of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) lashed out at the Walt Diseny Company over their federal First Amendment lawsuit against Ron DeSantis and Florida administrators.
Earlier this month, Disney amended their federal suit, narrowing the focus of the case to the question of whether or not Ron DeSantis dissolved the Reedy Creek Improvement District in retaliation for Disney publically speaking out against Florda’s Parental Rights in Education law (which critics have dubbed “Don’t Say Gay”).
Photo: The Wall Street Journal
As part of the amended lawsuit, Disney removed any issues related to the binding agreements the company made with Reedy Creeek in the waning days of that entity’s existence.
DeSantis and the Florida legislature subsequently voided the agreements.
Photo: Fox Business
“An Insult to the People of Florida”
At the CFTOD’s September 13 meeting, Garcia called Disney’s amended suit a “major tremor” that showed Disney was backtracking and conceding some of its claims.
“The dispute between Disney and the board only involved contracts. Contracts that the corporation, Disney, entered into with our predecessor. As such, it has nothing to do with the dispute between Disney and Gov. DeSantis over legislation,” Garcia said.
Photo: Fox News
“Disney knew full well that this is two independent matters, but having found itself for its heel this past spring … it dragged this board into federal court in Tallahassee. That decision was not only an insult to the people of Florida, but also the taxpayers of this district who are incurring the legal costs of that unnecessary battle.”
Garcia went on to call Disney’s decision to narrow the scope of its federal lawsuit a “mockery of the legal system.”
“In doing so, Disney has all but admitted it knew that the federal charges against this board were bogus. And moreover, that the filing of them constituted a publicity stunt.”
Reedy Creek
The Battle Rages On
While Diseny may not be contesting the legality of its Reedy Creek contracts in federal court, a ruling on their legitimacy is still expected to come from the ongoing state lawsuit between the CFTOD and Disney.
In fact, Disney’s decision to narrow the scope of its federal suit came after a state judge dismissed the company’s motion to toss out the CFTOD’s state lawsuit.
Photo: CFTOD
As always, continue to check back in with MickeyBlog. We will continue to bring you updates on the ongoing battle between Ron DeSantis and Disney.
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