The CFTOD Accuses Reedy Creek of “Bribing” Former Employees
The Ron DeSantis-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) is accusing the former Disney-run Reedy Creek Improvement District of giving employees “millions of dollars” which were “akin to bribes of public officials.”
“For years, the company treated district employees like Disney employees by, for instance, providing complimentary annual passes and steep discounts — benefits and perks that were akin to bribes,” said a new 80-page report that the new board was required to prepare for DeSantis and the Florida legislature.
“Not surprisingly then, the district’s employees believed that it was in their job to prioritize the interests of Disney.”
Reedy Creeks Was “Inverted to Serve Disney”
In their new report, the CFTOD says that the old Reedy Creek board enjoyed “exceptionally broad authority to regulate itself, at Disney’s total discretion.”
The old board, they said, was “inverted to serve Disney.”
Among other critical claims in the report, was the revelation that Disney “captured” the supervisors by “showering” them with lavish gifts and spending. Disney also provided complimentary Annual Passes and discounts on cruises, hotel stays, merchandise, and food to employees, retirees, and vendors.
The company initially gave away those benefits for free until 2006, when the district began reimbursing Disney for the expenses.
The CFTOD Is Not Alleging Criminal Activity
The new CFTOD board made it clear, however, that they were not accusing their predecessors of criminal activity. Instead, they concluded that the old board “was in dire need of reform, and thus the legislature was amply warranted” in instituting a new board to oversee fire protection, water treatment, and other services.
The report was prepared by the board by a group of experts. The CFTOD board will meet Wednesday to vote on whether or not to accept the report.
Disney Calls the Report An “Exercise in Revionsit History”
A Disney spokesperson said the report was an “exercise in revisionist history” and was neither objective nor credible.
The report, Disney said, only seeks to advance the CFTOD narrative.
As always, continue to check back with MickeyBlog. We will update you on any news coming out of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District.