Current:Home > MarketsDisney says DeSantis-appointed district is dragging feet in providing documents for lawsuit-VaTradeCoin
Disney says DeSantis-appointed district is dragging feet in providing documents for lawsuit
View Date:2025-01-07 13:36:13
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Walt Disney World’s governing district made up of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees is dragging its feet in providing requested documents to Disney in a lawsuit over who has design and construction powers over the company’s sprawling theme park resort in central Florida, Disney said in court papers.
Disney on Thursday accused the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District of “dodging its obligations” and asked a Florida judge to delay any decision on whether the case should proceed until the company gets documents and conducts depositions needed to argue against a summary judgement requested by the district.
A hearing is scheduled for mid-December. Disney is seeking a delay of two and a half months.
The district has “failed to produce a single document for nearly two months following Disney’s requests, broke commitments to agreed-upon deadlines, and remains in possession of discovery that Disney needs to develop its summary judgment opposition,” Disney said in court papers.
An email seeking comment was sent to a spokesman for the district.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, formerly called the Reedy Creek Improvement District, was controlled by Disney allies for more than five decades until it was taken over by DeSantis appointees earlier this year. The takeover of the district came after Disney publicly opposed a state law banning classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades. The law was championed by DeSantis, who currently is running for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.
Before control of the district changed hands from Disney allies to DeSantis appointees, the Disney supporters on its board signed agreements with Disney shifting control over design and construction at Disney World to the company and prohibiting the district from using the likeness of Disney characters or other intellectual property without Disney’s permission. The new DeSantis appointees claimed the “eleventh-hour deals” neutered their powers, and the district sued the company in state court to have the contracts voided.
Disney has filed counterclaims which include asking the state court to declare the agreements valid and enforceable. Disney also is seeking from DeSantis’ office and several state agencies internal communications, including text messages and emails, and documents.
“Productions to date have been nonexistent or woefully deficient,” Disney said in its court filing.
Disney and DeSantis and his allies also are battling in federal court, where the company has sued DeSantis, claiming the governor violated its free speech rights by punishing it for expressing opposition to the law. DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District have asked a federal judge to throw out Disney’s First Amendment lawsuit, calling it meritless.
___
Follow Mike Schneider on X, formerly known as Twitter: @MikeSchneiderAP.
veryGood! (8967)
Related
- 2 striking teacher unions in Massachusetts face growing fines for refusing to return to classroom
- Selena Gomez and Francia Raísa Twin on a Night Out After Squashing Beef Rumors
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone pulls out of world championships due to injury
- Tom Jones, creator of the longest-running musical ‘The Fantasticks,’ dies at 95
- Cavaliers' Darius Garland rediscovers joy for basketball under new coach
- Polish government plans referendum asking if voters want ‘thousands of illegal immigrants’
- Amidst streaming chaos, Dropout carves out its own niche
- Oprah Winfrey Hands Out Supplies at Maui Shelter Amid Hawaii Wildfires
- Richard Allen found guilty in the murders of two teens in Delphi, Indiana. What now?
- Guatemalan presidential candidate Sandra Torres leans on conservative values, opposing gay marriage
Ranking
- World leaders aim to shape Earth's future at COP29 climate change summit
- Mexico investigates 4th killing at Tijuana hotel frequented by American accused of killing 3 women
- 'Below Deck,' reality producers stepped in to stop a drunken assault — this time
- Watch: Orlando, Florida police officers save driver trapped in a car as it submerges in pond
- Halle Berry Rocks Sheer Dress She Wore to 2002 Oscars 22 Years Later
- The Ultimatum’s April Marie Gives Birth, Welcomes First Baby With Cody Cooper
- Ravens' record preseason win streak to be put to the test again vs. Eagles
- Breaking Down All of Kate Middleton and Prince William's Royal Titles and What They Mean
Recommendation
-
Lost luggage? This new Apple feature will let you tell the airline exactly where it is.
-
Parts of Maui are in ashes after wildfires blazed across the Hawaiian island. These photos show the destruction.
-
'Feisty queen:' Atlanta zoo mourns Biji the orangutan, who lived to an 'exceptional' age
-
What’s behind the tentative US-Iran agreement involving prisoners and frozen funds
-
Glen Powell Addresses Rumor He’ll Replace Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible Franchise
-
Feeling lazy? La-Z-Boy's giving away 'The Decliner,' a chair with AI to cancel your plans
-
HSMTMTS Showrunner Shares Lucas Grabeel’s Emotional Reaction to His Character Coming Out
-
Naomi Campbell Shares Rare Insight Into Life as a Mom of Two