ORLANDO (SNN TV) – Control over Disney’s property is on the line as lawyers for the company and its new governing board squared off in court Friday.
The Desantis-appointed board sued Disney, claiming agreements with the former board should be thrown out. The judge did not make a ruling but will make a decision soon.
The new board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District sued Disney in circuit court. It wants all land development contracts between the company and its former governing board, the Reedy Creek Improvement District, declared null and void.It also argued that the matter should be settled in local court, not in federal court.
“There is no actual controversy remaining in this case, because whether the agreements were found to be valid or invalid or void, or not void, or enforceable or not enforceable, the fact remains (Senate bill) 1604 bars their enforcement and really, that’s the beginning and the end of the matter. That statute moots any claim of any validity of these contracts,” says Walt Disney Company Attorney Danielle Patrocelli.
Disney argued the lawsuit should be dismissed because Governor Desantis and republican lawmakers passed a law after the suit was filed, which already invalidates old development agreements.
“It should be clear that the passage of Senate Bill 1604 does nothing to moot the controversy set up by the competing positions on the validity from inception of the agreements. As we argue that statue only applies to a development agreement that was in effect on July 1. And our position is that as a matter of law it was not in effect as of July 1, because it was void from inception,” says lan Lawson, attorney for the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
This whole feud started last year when Disney opposed Governor Ron Desantis‘ Parental Rights in Education law. Disney has said the outcome of these legal cases could determine if they move forward with major development plans at Disney World.