Federal judge dismisses Disney lawsuit against Ron DeSantis
Disney’s Lawsuit Against Florida Governor Dismissed by Federal Judge
Disney’s legal battle against Governor Ron DeSantis and the state-appointed board overseeing the Walt Disney World Resort has been dismissed by a federal judge. The lawsuit claimed that DeSantis unlawfully retaliated against the company for speaking out against the Parental Rights in Education Act by restructuring its self-governing district encompassing the Florida resort.
Judge Allen Winsor of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida dismissed the case due to lack of standing and failure to state a claim. In response, a Disney spokesperson stated that they are determined to press forward with their case, as it has serious implications for the rule of law.
The lawsuit, filed in April 2023, followed a year of feuding between Disney and DeSantis. The governor restructured the Reedy Creek Improvement District into the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, governed by his appointees. The lawsuit specifically alleged that DeSantis and the CFTOD infringed on Disney’s free speech rights by retaliating against their comments on the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act.
Disney had publicly expressed its opposition to the bill and stated its goal of having it repealed or struck down. DeSantis took issue with the company’s stance and began restructuring Disney’s district shortly after.
Disney and the CFTOD are still involved in ongoing lawsuits in state court regarding the governing authority of the CFTOD board and the voiding of a previous agreement made with the company.
The Washington Examiner has reached out to DeSantis’s office for comment.
What reasons did Judge Allen Winsor cite for dismissing Disney’s lawsuit?
In a recent development, a federal judge has dismissed Disney’s lawsuit against Governor Ron DeSantis and the state-appointed board overseeing the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The lawsuit alleged that Governor DeSantis unlawfully retaliated against the company for speaking out against the Parental Rights in Education Act by restructuring the self-governing district encompassing the Florida resort.
According to Judge Allen Winsor of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, the case was dismissed due to a lack of standing and failure to state a claim. In response, a spokesperson for Disney expressed their determination to press forward with the case, emphasizing its serious implications for the rule of law.
The lawsuit was initially filed in April 2023, following a year of contention between Disney and Governor DeSantis. The governor restructured the Reedy Creek Improvement District into the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD), which would be governed by his own appointees. The lawsuit specifically claimed that Governor DeSantis and the CFTOD infringed upon Disney’s free speech rights by retaliating against the company’s comments on the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act.
Previously, Disney had publicly voiced its opposition to the bill and declared its goal of having it repealed or overturned. Governor DeSantis, taking issue with the company’s stance, began restructuring Disney’s district shortly afterward.
Interestingly, Disney and the CFTOD are currently entangled in ongoing lawsuits in state court concerning the governing authority of the CFTOD board, as well as the voiding of a previous agreement made between the board and the company.
The Washington Examiner has contacted Governor DeSantis’s office for a comment on this matter.
While this legal battle between Disney and Governor DeSantis continues, the outcome of the lawsuit will have significant implications for both parties involved as it revolves around freedom of speech and the boundaries of governmental authority.
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