Ron DeSantis Orders Investigation Of Disney’s Move To Retain Extensive Control Over Florida Theme Park Property

deadline.com:

Governor Ron DeSantis, seeking to gain an upper hand in his battle with The Walt Disney Co., on Monday ordered an investigation into the company’s move to retain extensive control over its sprawling Florida theme park property.

DeSantis requested an investigation from the state’s inspector general into whether the Disney-controlled board of the Reedy Creek Improvement District adhered to “civil and criminal laws and ethics requirements” in entering into a long-term development agreement with the company before the state legislature took control. “These collusive and self-dealing arrangements aim to nullify the recently passed legislation, undercut Florida’s legislative process, and defy the will of Floridians,” DeSantis wrote in a letter to chief inspector general Melinda Miguel.

Disney had said little earlier this year as DeSantis, upset over the company’s opposition last year to a parental rights bill dubbed by detractors as the “don’t say gay” law, championed a legislative effort to strip the company of control over the Reedy Creek district.

That is the self-governing entity that was set up in 1967, essentially allowing the company to control development, infrastructure and bond financing on its property.