Attorneys for the Walt Disney World governing district, which was taken over by Gov. Ron DeSantis' allies last year, have filed a motion for a protective order to prevent DeSantis-appointed board members from being deposed in the state lawsuit against Disney. The dispute revolves around the control of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, which provides essential municipal services for Disney World.
The district attorneys argue that the high-level government officers, appointed by DeSantis, should not be subjected to depositions under the 'apex doctrine,' which limits such questioning unless all other avenues for obtaining information have been exhausted. They claim that the board members do not possess unique, relevant knowledge to justify being deposed and view Disney's efforts as harassment.
Disney, on the other hand, has sought to depose six current and former DeSantis-appointed board members as part of the discovery process for the case. The entertainment giant alleges that the district has obstructed its requests for information, leading to a public records lawsuit earlier this year.
Since the takeover by DeSantis' allies, the district has experienced a staff exodus, with many citing politicization as a key concern. Recent departures include the district's administrator and board chairman, raising questions about the impact of the change in leadership.
The conflict between DeSantis and Disney stems from the company's opposition to Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' law, which led to the legislative takeover of the district and the appointment of a new board. Disney sued DeSantis and his appointees, alleging violations of free speech rights, but a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in January, prompting an appeal from Disney.
Prior to the change in control, Disney supporters on the board had signed agreements with the company regarding design and construction at Disney World. The new DeSantis appointees contested these agreements, leading to a legal battle over their validity and enforceability.
