Disney CEO Bob Iger (left) and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
David A. Grogan | CNBC
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis may say he’s “moved on” from his longstanding feud with Florida. disneybut the mouse house does not ease.
Disney has filed a counterclaim against the oversight board elected by DeSantis to oversee Walt Disney World’s special tax districts, including allegations of breach of contract, court filings show Thursday. Became.
The company is seeking damages for alleged violations, as well as a court order for the district to comply with a development contract that is at the center of a legal battle between Disney and DeSantis.
Disney’s request was filed in a 55-page filing denying the district commission’s allegations in a state-level lawsuit against the entertainment giant. Disney’s filings also filed 12 “aggressive defenses” to the board, including unsubstantiated claims by the company.
The board and a Disney spokeswoman did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.
Disney has filed a related federal lawsuit accusing the governor of political retaliation after the company denounced a controversial classroom bill dubbed “Don’t Say Gay” by critics. It is suing select directors.
DeSantis and his allies targeted the special tax district formerly known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which has allowed Walt Disney World in Florida to operate independently since the 1960s. The governor effectively took over the district, replaced the five-member board with elected officials of his choice, and changed the name to the Central Florida Tourism Observatory District (CFTOD).
Before the board took office, Disney said it drafted a development agreement designed to secure its investments in Florida “in a context of increasing retaliation” by the Florida government. The new board voted to void the deal, claiming the company had quietly passed the deal to undermine its powers, prompting Disney to sue.
Days later, the DeSantis board counterclaimed in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Orange County, Florida, arguing that Disney did not have the authority to enter into contracts and that the previous board did not properly notify them that they were drafting them. claimed.
At Wednesday’s board meeting, Asked A judge in a state lawsuit would rule in Disney’s favor without going to trial on five of the nine counts of action against Disney.
A nasty legal battle is being played out in two different courts and doesn’t look like it’s going to end any time soon. Disney lost a bid to dismiss a state-level lawsuit last month, and similar attempts by DeSantis and the CFTOD board to dismiss a federal lawsuit are still pending.
But DeSantis, who is struggling to catch up to former President Donald Trump in the Republican presidential primary, said he wants to end the battle.
In an interview with CNBC on Monday, DeSantis urged Disney CEO Bob Iger to drop the lawsuit, claiming the company “would lose” and that he and his allies “basically moved forward.” added.
Mr. DeSantis, who quickly rose to national prominence for his willingness to take drastic action on politically tough social issues, frequently brought up his rivalry with Disney during his campaign. Iger has attacked the company for having a problem he considers “awake” and accuses the company of sexualizing children, a claim he called “absurd”. I’m here.”