Credit: Edited by Inside The MagicDisney is seeking to even out the playing field as the House of Mouse looks to get a videotaped deposition from its governing district chief. Things are heating up in the final major legal battle between the DeSantis governing district and Walt Disney World Resort.
Disney Hitting Back Hard With Taped Deposition of Governing District Chief
Disney has officially submitted a notice indicating its intent to conduct a videotaped deposition with Glen Gilzean, the CEO of Ron DeSantis’ Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. This deposition is scheduled for April 9, 2024, at the offices of O’Melveny & Myers LLP in Los Angeles, California. The Disney DeSantis war continues as the DeSantis appointee meets with the Walt Disney Company on terms set forth by Disney CEO Bob Iger, The Walt Disney Co, and Walt Disney World.
According to the notice filed by Disney, the deposition will be conducted under oath and is intended for discovery or other legal proceedings, potentially including trial. A Florida lawmaker or two likely advised this route to adhere to state law. Although Disney supporters backed this decision, the Florida governor probably disapproved.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District initiated legal action by filing a lawsuit in the 9th Judicial Circuit Orange County against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in May 2023.
What the Lawsuit Says
The lawsuit, spanning 188 pages, says the following:
…in an effort to stymie Florida’s elected representatives, Disney covertly cobbled together a series of eleventh- hour deals with its soon-to-be-replaced puppet government.
The lawsuit continues to say a lot, but the next is the most critical information needed to understand the current situation:
Disney hoped to tie the hands of the new, independent Board and to preserve Disney’s special status as its own government in the District for at least the next thirty years. These agreements reek of a backroom deal—drafted by Disney with the acquiescence a lawyer who represented both Disney and the District, set for hearing without proper notice, and hustled through a compliant Disney-controlled Board that Disney knew would not dwell long on the issue. But perhaps out of haste or arrogance, Disney’s deals violate basic principles of Florida constitutional, statutory, and common law. As a result, they are null and void—not even worth the paper they were printed on.
Yesterday, Ron DeSantis held a press conference to commemorate the first anniversary of the Reedy Creek Improvement District takeover, which has now turned into the Central Florida Tourism Overnight District (CFTOD). His boastful success speech rang loud, indicating that the CFTOD would not go into this fight quietly.
What Will Happen During the Taped Deposition?
Taped depositions serve as a way to gather sworn testimony from witnesses outside of the courtroom setting, which can be helpful for discovery purposes or as evidence in a trial. During a taped deposition, also commonly called a video deposition, a witness provides sworn testimony under oath outside of the courtroom setting.
Attorneys for each party take turns asking questions of the witness. The questioning is usually led by the attorney who scheduled the deposition. Still, the opposing attorney(s) also have the opportunity to ask follow-up questions or object to specific lines of questioning. Depositions can be lengthy, so breaks are usually provided for the witness and other participants to rest or consult with their attorneys.
With Disney bringing in the CFTOD Administrator for questioning, it will likely be to access information to be used in the current lawsuit pending between Walt Disney World Resort and its governing district, which will argue who will take control of Disney’s governing district. Will the CFTOD remain in charge, or will Disney win it back? Only time will tell.