Disney has been granted two hearings next week in two separate court cases against the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Both hearings will revolve around the CFTOD dragging its feet and dodging obligations when it comes to public records and discovery requests made by Disney.
Motion to Compel Discovery
On Tuesday, January 23rd, Disney will present its argument to Judge Margaret H. Schreiber in the state-level lawsuit with the CFTOD. The lawsuit was originated by the District back in May 2023, but Disney launched a countersuit against the District, alleging constitutional violations such as the Contracts Clause and others. In its countersuit, Disney has requested documents from the District via public records and other means, but Disney says that the District is not meeting its obligations to produce discovery.
Disney asked the judge in the case to push a hearing back, arguing that the District was not producing documents. The judge granted a 75-day continuance after hearing the arguments. Now, Disney is going back in front of the judge in a Motion to Compel Discovery after saying that the District “deprived [Disney] of the critical discovery it needs to develop its affirmative defenses, counterclaims, and arguments in opposition to the District’s Complaint”.
Public Records Act Violations
In a separate case, but as a result of the District’s action in the state-level case, Disney has leveled accusations that the District has violated Florida’s Public Records Act. While Disney fights in the state-level case with its Motion to Compel Discovery, it is simultaneously suing the District for Public Records Act violations.
Judge Chad K. Alvaro has granted Disney’s Motion for an Immediate Hearing pursuant to Rule 2.545 of the Florida Rules of General Practice & Judicial Administration and section 119.11, Florida Statutes. Judge Alvaro has set a hearing date of Thursday, January 25th.
The two hearings this week come as Disney is awaiting a ruling in federal court on a Motion to Dismiss Disney’s lawsuit by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on allegations of First Amendment violations. Disney says that the Presidential hopeful retaliated against the Company after Disney spoke out against the “Don’t Say Gay” law. Disney says that DeSantis worked in lockstep with his rubber-stamp legislature to retaliate against Disney by stripping Disney of its voting rights and taking over the since-renamed Reedy Creek Improvement District.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!