Ron DeSantis Asks For Investigation Of Disney’s Move To Retain Extensive Control Over Florida Theme Park Property
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, seeking to gain an upper hand in his battle with The Walt Disney Co., on Monday asked for an investigation into the company’s move to retain extensive control over its sprawling Florida theme park property.
Related Story
Disney CEO Bob Iger Calls “Retaliation” By Gov. Ron DeSantis “Not Only Anti-Business, But Anti-Florida”
Related Story
Disney Streaming Strategy: CEO Bob Iger Tells Shareholders Marvel, Star Wars, Disney And Pixar Titles Will Stay Exclusive, But Others Could "On Occasion" Be Licensed To Third Parties
Related Story
Dwayne Johnson And Bob Iger Reveal Live-Action 'Moana' In Development
DeSantis requested an investigation from the state’s inspector general into whether the Disney-controlled board of the Reedy Creek Improvement District adhered to “civil and criminal laws and ethics requirements” in entering into a long-term development agreement with the company before the state Legislature took control.
More from Deadline
“These collusive and self-dealing arrangements aim to nullify the recently passed legislation, undercut Florida’s legislative process and defy the will of Floridians,” DeSantis wrote in a letter to chief inspector general Melinda Miguel.
Disney had said little earlier this year as DeSantis, upset over the company’s opposition last year to a parental rights bill dubbed by detractors as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, championed a legislative effort to strip the company of control over the Reedy Creek district. That is the self-governing entity that was set up in 1967, essentially allowing the company to control development, infrastructure and bond financing on its property.
After the state passed a bill and DeSantis signed, he quickly moved to install a new five-member board to the district, newly named the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board. “There’s a new sheriff in town,” said DeSantis, who is expected to run for president in 2024.
But at a public meeting last week, new board members said that they discovered that the previous board’s development agreement with Disney neutralizes them from doing anything “beyond maintain the roads and maintain basic infrastructure,” Ron Peri, one of the district’s new board members, told the Orlando Sentinel.
The company last week issued a statement saying, “All agreements signed between Disney and the district were appropriate and were discussed and approved in open, noticed public forums in compliance with Florida’s Government.”
At Disney’s annual shareholder meeting Monday, CEO Bob Iger lashed out the governor for “retaliation” against Disney for exercising a right to free speech “is not only anti-business, but anti-Florida,” given the jobs, taxes, resources and revenue Disney provides the state.
DeSantis also called for an investigation of whether the previous Reedy Creek board were qualified for their posts, the involvement of Disney employees in their actions, and any financial gain by Walt Disney World, among other things. The governor’s office also has said that additional legislative options are possible.
The development agreement and restrictive covenants were passed by the Disney-controlled district board on Feb. 8, just two days before the Reedy Creek legislation passed the state Senate. Under the terms of the agreement — read it here — gives Disney development entitlements over the next 30 years. The district also is bound to construct public facilities and infrastructure as part of a five-year capital improvement schedule. In certain cases, the district is required to secure Disney’s approvals, including for the use of the company name and character. At the latest district meeting, Peri said that the agreement “essentially makes Disney the government.”
Best of Deadline
Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
