Florida Attorney General Demands Communications Between Disney, Old Board; Warns Of Criminal Penalties

The former members of the Reedy Creek Improvement District have been ordered by the Florida Attorney General’s Office to hand over communications they had with The Walt Disney Company regarding a power-handover agreement signed in February. The agreement was signed the day before the state of Florida passed legislation stripping Disney of its power over the district and replacing its self-appointed board with one appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis. Attorneys hired by the new board uncovered the documents and also discovered that the old board used a property rule to extend Disney’s control over the powers. The Attorney General’s office has sent a public records request to the old board members indicating their legal obligation to retain and provide records or face civil or criminal penalties under applicable statutes. The targeted individuals have been requested to provide copies of all correspondence discussing agreements, covenants or similar documents approved or considered by the Board of Supervisors. The email instructs the search to be limited to documents discussing attempts to avoid the effects of anticipated actions by the Florida Governor and Legislature, and the records must be handed over as soon as possible.