The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) Responds To Disney’s Lawsuit Dismissal
The Walt Disney Company was dealt a major blow yesterday when Judge Allen Winsor dismissed the company’s suit against Ron DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD).
Disney had been suing the governor and special district board over the dissolution of the Disney-controlled Reedy Creek Improvement District.
Photo: Fox Business
Established in 1967, Reedy Creek essentially gave Disney governing power over its Central Florida lands.
In their lawsuit, Disney argued that the dissolution of Reedy Creek was carried out in retaliation for the company speaking out against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education, which critics have dubbed “Don’t Say Gay.”
Ron DeSantis and Glen Gilzean. Photo: Central Florida Urban League
DeSantis and his allies, meanwhile, argued that the dissolution of Reedy Creek was about reform, not retaliation.
Yesterday’s Ruling
In his ruling yesterday, Judge Winsor sided with DeSantis and the CFTOD, adjudicating that Disney lacked standing to sue DeSantis and that the company’s suit against the CFTOD failed on merit.
Photo: Florida Bar
“When a statute is facially constitutional, a plaintiff cannot bring free-speech challenge by claiming that the lawmakers who passed it acted with a constitutionally impermissible purpose,” Winsor wrote, citing a 2015 federal court ruling.
The CFTOD Responds
Following yesterday’s ruling, the CFTOD released a statement calling the lawsuit “nothing more than a distraction.”
Photo: CFTOD
“I’m delighted that this lawsuit, which was nothing more than a distraction, is now behind us. Our board and the district will now continue to make the appropriate changes to operate and function as an independent government agency to promote transparency and accountability while bringing more prosperity to more people in Florida,” said CFTOD Chairman Martin Garcia.
The board’s legal team also commented on the ruling, taking a parting shot at Disney.
Photo: Fox News
“We are pleased that the district court applied clear precedent to reject Disney’s claim that it, rather Florida’s Legislature and her Governor, gets to choose the officials who will serve on its local government body. Disney may own the land in the district, but it does not own the government,” said Charles J. Cooper, Chairman of Cooper & Kirk.
Disney Voys To Continue the Fight
While yesterday’s ruling was certainly a setback for Disney, their legal scrap with DeSantis and the CFTOD is likely far from over.
Following the decision, Disney released their own statement vowing to continue their battle.
The Walt Disney Company. Photo: Disney
“This is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here,” a company spokesman said in an unsigned statement.
“If left unchallenged, this would set a dangerous precedent and give license to states to weaponize their official powers to punish the expression of political viewpoints they disagree with. We are determined to press forward with our case.”
The Walt Disney Company.
As always, be sure to check back with MickeyBlog. We will continue to update you on any developments in the ongoing battle between The Walt Disney Company and Ron DeSantis.
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