Disney amended its lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District to cover only its alleged free speech allegations.
In a court filing on Thursday, the entertainment company withdrew its first four claims to narrow the lawsuit down to the fifth claim regarding alleged violations of Disney's First Amendment rights. The lawsuit stems from a longtime legal battle with DeSantis that began when Disney publicly denounced the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act in 2022.
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Disney said last week in a court filing that it was withdrawing its first four claims from the company's federal lawsuit — they are being "actively litigated" in a separate case in state court. A federal judge told the company on Friday that it would have to refile the motion to be considered.
The first four claims were regarding alleged contract clause violations, takings clause violations, due process clause violations, and a First Amendment claim that focused on Senate Bill 1604 — a law that overturned controversial development agreements made between Disney and former Reedy Creek Improvement District board members before the board was replaced by DeSantis appointees.
"This federal case will therefore address only the current Fifth Cause of Action, not at issue in the state court case: Disney’s First Amendment challenge to the retaliatory reconstitution of the Reedy Creek Improvement District," last week's filing said.
Disney filed the lawsuit against DeSantis, acting Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Secretary Meredith Ivey, and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board in April in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida.
The company alleged a "relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint unpopular with certain State officials."
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The "weaponization" refers to DeSantis's efforts to restructure the Reedy Creek Improvement District to include more oversight from the state.
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor dismissed two motions to dismiss filed by defendants in Disney's lawsuit. Instead, DeSantis, Ivey, and the board have until Sept. 21 to respond to Disney's amended complaint.