NEWS: Disney Files New Lawsuit Against Former Reedy Creek District

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts filed a lawsuit against the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District on Friday evening.

Magic Kingdom Entrance

Disney is currently involved in several legal battles surrounding the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, or CFTOD. And on Friday night, Disney filed a suit against the District over a public records request.

As reported by Click Orlando, late Friday, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts filed a lawsuit against the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District accusing the District of failing to preserve and turn over public records in violation of Florida law and the state’s constitution.

EPCOT

Disney has asked an Orange County circuit court judge to set an “immediate” hearing to declare that CFTOD is unlawfully withholding public records and order the agency to provide Disney with all outstanding requested records immediately.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

In the lawsuit, Disney claims CFTOD has failed to fully respond to a public record request the company submitted to the government agency on May 11th. It also accuses CFTOD of allowing District employees and board members to use personal electronic devices, email, and messaging accounts for government business without sufficient processes to ensure public records are preserved.

Pandora

Disney states as many as 50 employees have departed CFTOD since the new board was appointed by DeSantis in February, and the remaining employees are “exhausted” and lack confidence in the new administration. The lawsuit claims, “On the public records front, this has led to delays, inadequate preservation, storage and production of public records, and improper and unsupported claims of privilege and exemption from disclosure, in violation of the Florida Constitution and (Florida’s Public Record Act).”

Animal Kingdom

According to the complaint, CFTOD relies on board members and employees to “self-select text messages or emails responsive to public record requests on their own, without technical instruction from the District or any effort to verify compliance.” The lawsuit also goes on to say that CFTOD failed to preserve data from the personal devices of departing employees.