The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District held a special meeting this morning to discuss its response to the lawsuit filed by Disney against the individual members of the board last week.
The board unanimously passed a motion to sue the Walt Disney Company in a Florida state court. This is in contrast to Disney's lawsuit which was filed in a federal court.
In announcing the move, Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board chair Martin Garcia said, "Since Disney sued us, we have no choice now but to respond. This is why we called today's meeting to authorize legal action in response to Disney's federal lawsuit. This district will seek justice in state court here in Central Florida, where both it and Disney reside and do business. Yes, we'll seek justice in our own backyard."
Garcia says the state court lawsuit will seek to "uphold and enforce the board's April 26, 2023 legislative findings relating to the February 8, 2023 development agreement and declaration of restrictive covenants."
There was only one item on the agenda for today, "Board discussion and direction to litigation counsel and authorization to defend District officials sued in official capacities."
Board Chair Martin Garcia began the meeting by stating what the new board has achieved in its short time since overtaking Reedy Creek Improvement District. The achievements highlighted primarily related to hiring lawyers, consultants, and other advisors to fight Disney.
Garcia then suggested that the board's efforts are bringing the district into the 21st century, saying, "Disney sued this board to stop our efforts to improve the district and its operations. In essence, Disney is asking a federal court in Tallahassee to wrestle back the hands of time to 1967 while this board is instead charged legislatively to bring the district to the 21 century."
Board member Ron Peri in an address asked people to "pray for us." And went on to say that is surprising for him to be sued by Disney.
The Walt Disney Company filed a lawsuit in a Florida Federal Court last week, naming Florida Governor Ron Desantis and the entire Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board.
The board includes one of the authors of Florida's controversial Parental Bill of Rights law, Bridget Ziegler, Ron Peri, a former senior pastor of Evangel Baptist Church and now CEO of The Gathering, and lawyers Martin Garcia, Brian Aungst and Mike Sasso.
Disney claims in its lawsuit filed in a federal court last week that there has been "A targeted campaign of government retaliation-orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney's protected speech-now threatens Disney's business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights."
Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox