The legal representatives of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis asked a federal court to reject Disney's lawsuit which claims political reprisal against them. DeSantis maintained that he and another defendant are "protected" from litigation, and moreover, that the company has no basis for litigation against them.Gov. DeSantis' attorneys argued in Monday's filing that Disney's complaint should be thrown out.
Attorneys for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday filed a motion with a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Disney, claiming that the Governor and at least one other defendant are immune and that Disney lacks standing to sue. They also argued that Disney's allegations in the suit, which focuses on the company's denouncement of a classroom bill referred to as "Don't Say Gay" by critics, fail to state a claim. A spokesman for Disney did not respond to CNBC's request for comment.
The motion to dismiss was submitted by attorneys for DeSantis and Meredith Ivey, Secretary for Florida's Department of Economic Opportunity. They stated that Disney lacks standing to sue the Governor and Secretary, who are also immune from suit.
The lawsuit is regarding a special tax district encompassing Florida's Walt Disney World, which allowed the company to govern its operations there. After Disney criticized the GOP-backed classroom bill, DeSantis and his allies moved to dissolve the district, which was ultimately left intact but renamed as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and its five-member board was replaced with DeSantis' preferred candidates. The board members then voted to void certain development contracts, leading Disney to file suit.
Gov. DeSantis' attorneys argued that Disney's complaint should be dismissed, because any alleged injuries are not traceable to the State Defendants and enjoining them would not provide Disney relief. They also argued that the Governor has legislative immunity and that signing a law is not the same as enforcing it.
Disney filed its lawsuit in April and the board countersued in state court. The company filed a bid in May to dismiss the state-level suit, which the board opposed in a filing in June. Gov. DeSantis' attorneys argued in their motion to dismiss on Monday that Disney's complaint should be thrown out.
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