Disney and Former BP Executive Settle Lawsuit Over Pulled Job Offer
Disney has settled a lawsuit with a former BP executive who accused the company of reneging on a job offer amid its battle with Ron DeSantis over the former Reedy Creek Improvement District.
After publically opposing Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill (which critics dubbed “Don’t Say Gay”), Disney made personnel changes, including rescinding a job offer to former BP executive Shanan Guinn.
Guinn had been poised to head the Geoff Morrell-run corporate affairs department. Morrell was terminated following Disney’s clumsy response to the Florida law. At this point, Guinn’s offer was rescinded.
Guinn Accused Disney of Delaying Notifying Her
In her lawsuit, Guinn claimed that Disney delayed notifying her that the position she was offered was no longer available until after she resigned from BP.
Since Disney backed out, Guinn alleges that she has been unemployed without benefits and without a pension promised in her former role.
She accused Disney of promissory fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
Disney’s Argument
For their part, Disney argued that the contract Guinn signed allowed the company to rescind the offer at any time.
Disney also asserted that Guinn failed to show that the company had concealed information from her or acted untruthfully.
“After the position ceased to exist, however, Guinn hoped that defendant The Walt Disney Company…would subsidize her with a financial windfall,” Disney said. “She told friends that she was ‘aiming for a year’ of severance. Plus signing bonuses — for a job she never started.”
An Agreement Has Been Released
On Tuesday, however, lawyers for both sides notified the court that they had reached a deal to resolve the suit.
At this time, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.