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Credit: NBC, edited by ITMA Ron DeSantis appointee is being accused of conflict of interest and being a “charlatan,” which can’t be great news for the Florida Governor’s ongoing battle against the Walt Disney Company.
DeSantis vs Disney
Ron DeSantis is currently a very busy man, given that he serves as the chief executive of the state of Florida, is running for United States President in the 2024 election, and is embroiled in multiple legal battles with Disney in both state and federal court. It probably goes without saying that any new scandal that involves the governor is extremely unwelcome.
However, since the battle between Mr DeSantis and Disney began earlier this year (which the governor firmly blames the iconic media company for “having started it”), things have only gone from bad to worse. According to recent polls, the governor has been rapidly losing support among his constituents, which is a direct result of his legal conflict and frequent verbal attacks against one of the world’s most beloved companies and the largest single-site employer in the entire state.
Related: DeSantis Seeks to Overhaul All Disney World Rides and Attractions
DeSantis, Reedy Creek, and Walt Disney World
The battle between DeSantis and Disney began when former CEO Bob Chapek voiced opposition to the Parental Rights in Education Act, a signature piece of legislation for the Florida GOP. Despite national controversy, Gov DeSantis signed the bill into law and then swiftly went into attack mode against Disney.
Most notably, the governor dissolved the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the special tax area in which Walt Disney World was located, and had allowed Disney to essentially act as local government for decades, largely in exchange for shouldering tax burdens.
Reedy Creek was replaced by the Central Florida Tourist Oversight District, which is headed by a board of directors appointed by DeSantis himself. The change in districts has largely been perceived as retaliation against Disney by the governor, not least of which by the company itself. A federal lawsuit accusing DeSantis of violating Disney’s First Amendment rights is currently scheduled to go to trial next year.
DeSantis Board Scandal
While DeSantis may have installed loyalists to the board of directors of the Central Florida Tourist Oversight District, things have not been going smoothly.
Approximately 40 of the 370 employees at the district have quit or been fired (days before Thanksgiving, no less), citing disorganization and “incompetency” under the DeSantis board. Despite this, board of directors chief Glen Gilzean claims that morale is actually better than ever.
Notably, Glen Gilzean, who was appointed to the position by DeSantis, has been under a cloud of scandal from the start. It was discovered that his position on the board (which nets him an impressive $400k annual salary) was in ethical violation of his holding another political office… on the Florida Commission on Ethics.
Gilzean has since stepped down from the Ethics Commission, but the district continues to be plagued with accusations of murky business dealings, inside dealing, and no-bid contracts, which DeSantis claimed he would bar from the new district.
Another DeSantis Appointee
Now, amidst a DeSantis Disney conflict in which the governor can not really afford to have more questionable dealings, another appointee has been accused of being rushed into a questionable position at the prestigious University of Florida and not living up to his promises.
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo was appointed by the governor in 2021 but also holds a tenured professorship at the University of Florida. According to an extensive article in Politico, Ladapo seems to have been fast-tracked through the tenure process, violating university policies to install a DeSantis loyalist in the position.
Related: DeSantis Claims Florida Tourists Come To See Him, Not Disney
A University of Florida internal investigation states, “The irregularities noted above were of concern to the members of this committee and appeared to violate the spirit, and in review the exact letter, of UF hiring regulations and procedures, particularly in the vital role faculty play in evaluating the qualifications of their peers.”
An anonymous professor at UF said, “Dr Ladapo has undoubtedly sullied the academic reputation of the University… He continues to detract from the incredible science and outstanding clinical work being done by real UF scientists and clinicians.”
Reportedly, the surgeon general has not performed the duties that the tenure process is, in part, designed to ensure. He has never taught a class at the university where he is employed, brought in grant money, and has spent part of his time in the position writing a memoir about his vaccine skepticism.
This is not a surprise to the Florida legislature, apparently. State Senator Tina Polsky, who was part of the hearing committee to ensure Ladapo could perform both his university and political duties, says, “This guy is a charlatan, he’s not looking out for anyone’s health and he’s going to campaign with DeSantis.”
DeSantis has a lot on his hands right now with Disney, he likely does not need this.
Do you think Ron DeSantis is making trouble for himself with these appointments? Let us know in the comments below!