Governor Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida has just defeated Disney for the final time in court, ironing out a settlement that declares their 11th hour move to give Disney control over their special district “null and void”.
Below is the news:
#BREAKING: DeSantis defeats Disney in court again, lawsuits to be dropped under settlement
The last-minute, far-reaching agreements that gave Disney broad power over their previous self-governing district are declared "null and void" under the agreement
Developing…
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) March 27, 2024
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office is celebrating another legal victory over Disney after a new settlement was reached between the state-appointed Central Florida board and the company on Wednesday.
Under the agreement, Disney is set to drop its lawsuit against the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, and the district will drop its own lawsuit against Disney. Claims and counterclaims from both parties would be dismissed as well. Disney is also set to drop a public records effort part of the legal battle.
The legal battles were over last-minute, far-reaching restrictive covenants and agreements, which gave Disney broad power and developmental rights over its former self-governing improvement district of Reedy Creek, which was dissolved and replaced last year.
The agreements by Disney were flaunted by the media as “legal humiliation,” and as a move aimed to “mess up DeSantis’ power grab” over the Walt Disney World area.
“Out-negotiated by Mickey Mouse,” a headline from Salon read. “DeSantis’ board reveals Disney quietly stripped them of power.”
Those agreements are set to be swiped aside as both parties move forward.
Bryan Griffin, communications director for DeSantis, celebrated the move Wednesday.
“[Disney] conceded that their last-minute development agreements are null, void, and unenforceable,” Griffin said. “No corporation should be its own government. Moving forward, we stand ready to work with Disney and the District to help promote economic growth, family-friendly tourism, and accountable government in Central Florida.”
“As usual, the media were wrong,” Griffin said.