
Disney asks a judge to toss a lawsuit from board of DeSantis appointees
Associated PressORLANDO, Fla. — Disney asked a Florida judge on Friday to toss out a lawsuit against the company’s efforts to neutralize a takeover of Disney World’s governing district by Gov. Attorneys for Disney argued before Circuit Judge Margaret Schreiber that any decision in state court would be moot since the Republican-controlled Legislature already has passed a law voiding agreements that the company made with a prior governing board of Disney supporters that gave design and construction powers to the company. In that case, Disney sued DeSantis and his appointees to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District in an effort to stop the takeover, claiming the governor was violating the company’s free speech and “weaponizing the power of government to punish private business.” “We are dealing with the same issue in both cases,” Daniel Petrocelli, an attorney for Disney, told the judge during an hourlong hearing watched remotely by several Disney executives. The fight between DeSantis and Disney began last year after the company, facing significant pressure internally and externally, publicly opposed a state law banning classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, a policy critics call “Don’t Say Gay.” As punishment, DeSantis took over the district through legislation passed by Florida lawmakers and appointed a new board of supervisors to oversee municipal services for the sprawling theme parks and hotels.
History of this topic

Workers sue Disney claiming they were fraudulently induced to move to Florida from California
Associated Press
With deal done, Disney withdraws lawsuit, ending last conflict with DeSantis and his appointees
Associated Press
With deal done, Disney will withdraw lawsuit, ending conflict with DeSantis and his appointees
The Independent
Disney, Florida's DeSantis end spat with deal on 15-year expansion plan
Hindustan Times
DeSantis appointees bury the hatchet with Disney by approving new development deal
Associated Press
Florida tourism board approves Walt Disney World expansion plans, ending Disney-DeSantis feud
LA Times
Disney is once again giving money to anti-LGBTQ+ Republicans who passed the "Don't Say Gay" law
Salon
Disney and DeSantis-backed board ‘come to their senses’ in new agreement
CNN
Disney set to invest up to $17B in Florida parks now that fight with DeSantis appointees has ended
Associated Press
Disney allowed to pause its federal lawsuit against Florida governor as part of settlement deal
Associated Press
Settlement reached in lawsuit between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ allies
Associated Press
Disney and DeSantis-appointed Florida oversight board settle lawsuit
LA Times
Attorneys try to stop DeSantis appointees from giving depositions in Disney lawsuit
Associated Press
Shakeup continues at Disney district a year after takeover by DeSantis appointees
Associated Press
Fight between Disney and DeSantis appointees over district control gets a July court hearing
Associated Press
DeSantis calls takeover of Disney government a ‘success’ despite worker exodus, litigation
Associated Press
DeSantis calls takeover of Disney government a 'success' despite worker exodus, litigation
The Independent
Disney wants trade secrets kept confidential in lawsuit with DeSantis appointees
Associated Press
Disney appeals dismissal of free speech lawsuit as DeSantis says company should ‘move on’
Associated Press
Column: DeSantis notches a courthouse win against Disney, thanks to a Trumpian right-wing judge
LA Times
Judge dismisses Disney lawsuit against Ron DeSantis
The Independent
Judge Dismisses Disney's Lawsuit Against Ron De Santis
Huff Post
Judge throws out Disney's lawsuit claiming DeSantis retaliated against Hollywood giant for criticizing his 'Don't Say Gay' law
Daily Mail
Federal judge dismisses Disney’s free speech lawsuit against DeSantis
Associated Press
Judge tosses Disney’s free speech lawsuit against Ron DeSantis; Disney appeals
LA Times
Disney asks for delay in DeSantis appointees’ lawsuit, as worker describes a distracted district
Associated Press
Disney hopes prosecutor’s free speech case against DeSantis helps its own lawsuit against governor
Associated Press
Disney says in lawsuit that DeSantis-appointed government is failing to release public records
Associated Press
DeSantis attorneys ask federal judge to dismiss Disney’s free speech lawsuit
Associated Press
DeSantis appointees accuse Disney district predecessors of cronyism; Disney calls them revisionist
Associated Press
DeSantis appointees seek Disney communications about governor, laws in fight over district
Associated Press
DeSantis appointees seek Disney communications about governor, laws in fight over district
LA Times
Morale is down and cronyism up after DeSantis takeover of Disney World government, ex-employees say
Associated Press
Disney warns that if DeSantis wins lawsuit, others will be punished for ‘disfavored’ views
Associated Press
Disney says DeSantis-appointed district is dragging feet in providing documents for lawsuit
Associated Press
DeSantis allies ask Florida judge to throw out Disney’s counterclaims in lawsuit
Associated Press
Disney, DeSantis legal fights ratchet up as company demands documents from Florida governor
Associated Press
Disney wants to narrow the scope of its lawsuit against DeSantis to free speech claim
Associated Press
DeSantis says he’s ‘moved on’ from Disney district fight as the company doubles down
LA Times
DeSantis’ tactical blunder has sunk his battle with Disney: ex-GOP lawmaker
Raw Story
DeSantis’ appointees ask judge to rule against Disney without need for trial
Associated Press
DeSantis urges Disney to drop lawsuit amid bitter feud with theme park
Raw Story
DeSantis’ retaliation against Disney hurts Florida, former governors and lawmakers say
Associated Press
Group: DeSantis win in Disney lawsuit could embolden actions against journalists
Associated Press
Judge refuses to dismiss lawsuit against Disney’s efforts to neutralize governing district takeover
Associated Press
DeSantis appointees reach deal with Disney World’s firefighters, capping years of negotiations
Associated Press
DeSantis proposes Disney trial schedule that puts start date in 2025, after elections
Associated Press
DeSantis pushes for Disney lawsuit trial to be delayed until after 2024 election
Raw Story
DeSantis, appointees to Disney World governing board ask that Disney lawsuit be dismissed
Associated PressDiscover Related






























