Disney Sues FL Gov. DeSantis, Others Over 'Government Retaliation'

ORLANDO, FL — Walt Disney Company is suing Gov. Ron DeSantis and other Florida officials, claiming "a targeted campaign of government retaliation" after the state passed legislation earlier this year to take control of Disney World's 55-year-old independent special taxing district, according to court documents.

On Wednesday, the board appointed by DeSantis to oversee the governance of Walt Disney World voted to nullify an agreement made by Disney officials before the changeover that stripped new members of many of their powers, The New York Times reported.

Minutes later, Disney sued DeSantis, the five-member board, and other state officials in federal court, according to The Times.

Another person named in the suit was Florida Department of Economic Opportunity acting secretary Meredith Ivey, CNN reported.

"Disney regrets that it has come to this," the case said. “But having exhausted efforts to seek a resolution, the Company is left with no choice but to file this lawsuit to protect its cast members, guests, and local development partners from a relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint unpopular with certain State officials.”

The development is the latest in the feud between the entertainment giant and DeSantis.

In February, the GOP-controlled Florida Legislature passed legislation allowing the state to take control of Disney World's independent special taxing district known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which gave Disney World the right to self-govern its 25,000-acre footprint in Orange and Osceola counties.

The legislation renamed the Reedy Creek Improvement District to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and gave DeSantis the power to select the five-person board.

The move by Florida lawmakers was primarily seen as retaliation for the entertainment giant publicly opposing Florida's Parental Rights in Education bill — dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill by critics — that bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.

DeSantis has also vowed additional retribution, with proposals to enhance state oversight of the resort’s rides and monorail, as well as a suggestion to build a prison nearby.

In March, board members appointed by DeSantis learned the company's previous board passed a 30-year agreement and restrictive covenants that make new members powerless to manage Disney's future growth in Florida, the Orlando Sentinel first reported.

• RELATED: Disney Stripped New Board's Powers Ahead Of Florida Takeover: Reports

"We're going to have to deal with it and correct it," board member Brian Aungst said. "It's a subversion of the will of the voters and the Legislature and the governor. It completely circumvents the authority of this board to govern."

According to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by the Times, Disney has accused DeSantis of a "relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint."

The campaign "now threatens Disney's business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights," the complaint continued.

“We are unaware of any legal right that a company has to operate its own government or maintain special privileges not held by other businesses in the state,” said DeSantis spokeswoman Taryn Fenske.

She continued, "This lawsuit is yet another unfortunate example of their hope to undermine the will of the Florida voters and operate outside the bounds of the law.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.