Disney cites DeSantis’ latest comments in expanded lawsuit

Disney cites DeSantis’ latest comments in expanded lawsuit

Citing the governor’s own words, Disney expanded its federal lawsuit against Ron DeSantis on Monday, targeting two bills passed last week by the Florida Legislature.

Legislation dealing with Disney World’s monorail and development agreements is further evidence of a “targeted campaign of government retaliation” by DeSantis and his allies, Disney’s lawyers wrote in the amended suit.

Disney’s lawyers quote DeSantis’ comments on Friday to support their accusations that DeSantis is punishing the corporation over its opposition to the Parental Rights in Education Law, which critics call “don’t say gay.”

“Without hesitation or prompt, Gov. DeSantis admitted: ‘[T]his all started, of course, with our parents’ rights bill,’” the amended lawsuit quotes DeSantis saying in response to a reporter’s question.

Disney’s lawyers also reference an interview DeSantis did that day in which he touted his perceived success.

“‘Since our skirmish last year, Disney has not been involved in any of those issues. They have not made a peep. That, ultimately, is the most important, that Disney is not allowed to pervert the system to the detriment of Floridians,’” the lawsuit quotes DeSantis as saying.

The amended suit asks the courts to invalidate a bill DeSantis signed Friday that seeks to void Disney’s development agreements with the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the special district that oversees Disney World’s government services.

The new DeSantis-aligned Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board that replaced Reedy Creek also voted to void those agreements, which sought to preserve Disney’s control over planning and development. Disney is challenging that vote, along with legislation that allowed DeSantis to pick the members of the Reedy Creek board.

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has countersued Disney in state court.

The amended complaint also references legislation that allows the state to inspect Disney’s monorail. Supporters argued that change was needed for safety reasons, but Disney’s lawyers wrote the measure was “precision-engineered to target Disney alone, just as Gov. DeSantis intended and previewed.”

“Gov. DeSantis and his allies have no apparent intent to moderate their retaliatory campaign any time soon,” Disney’s lawyers wrote.

sswisher@orlandosentinel.com, or @SkylerSwisher on Twitter 

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