DeSantis’ Disney board claims its own signed agreements aren’t legally valid

The governing district now managed by supporters of the Republican governor stated in courtroom papers Wednesday {that a} state courtroom choose ought to dismiss Disney’s counterclaims. The counterclaims search a courtroom declaration that the agreements are legitimate and that the district’s board of DeSantis allies violated the corporate’s contracts, free speech and due course of rights.

The agreements shifted management over design and development at Disney World from the district to the corporate and prohibited the district from utilizing the likeness of Disney characters or different mental property with out Disney’s permission. The agreements had been signed in February earlier than the district takeover by the DeSantis appointees, who declare the contracts neutered their powers for the district that gives municipal companies for Disney World.

The takeover of the district, which was beforehand managed by Disney allies, got here after the corporate publicly opposed a state law banning classroom classes on sexual orientation and gender identification in early grades.

The contracts weren’t correctly publicized and the Disney supporters on the district’s board on the time didn’t have the authorized authority to signal the agreements, the district now-controlled by DeSantis supporters stated on this week’s courtroom papers.

“Disney has did not allege any information that show the existence of damages,” stated the district, known as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District for the reason that takeover after being known as the Reedy Creek Enchancment District for the earlier 55 years.

Disney and DeSantis and his allies are also battling in federal courtroom, the place the corporate has sued DeSantis, claiming the governor violated its free speech rights by punishing it for expressing opposition to the regulation. DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District have requested a federal choose to throw out Disney’s First Modification lawsuit, calling it meritless.

DeSantis at present is running for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.