An oversight board appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this year says Disney benefited from “the most egregious display of corporate cronyism in modern American history,” according to a copy of an independent audit that ordered and which was obtained by The Post.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) released its report on Monday, detailing how the Mouse House achieved “near total governing authority” over the district starting in 1967.
“That authority was so unlimited that Disney obtained the power to, among other exceptional privileges, create and direct not only its own fire and police departments, but also, if it so desired, build a nuclear power plant,” the report states. .
Under legislation signed by then-Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk Jr., the Reedy Creek Improvement District was proposed as an experimental community that would combine residential and commercial areas, in addition to the Walt Disney World theme park.
A board appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis released an audit of the benefits a special tax district for Walt Disney World enjoyed for just over half a century in the state. AP
But the city initially envisioned by the Disney patriarch before his death “never came to fruition, and to this day, the Disney Special District is essentially devoid of individual residents,” according to auditors.
Among other things, the consultants advised Disney to “limit the scope of democracy” within the district, so that the company could “free itself from impediments to change, such as…elected political officials.”
“Disney completely outmaneuvered the legislature and pulled off an incredible act,” the auditors wrote in their 72-page report delivered to DeSantis and the Florida legislature.
“He had established an extra-constitutional governing authority – ‘an experimental absolute monarchy’ – within the borders of the State of Florida and, consequently, the United States, one that strikingly resembled, without exaggeration, a kingdom of yore.”
“This report is an exercise in revisionist history. “It is neither objective nor credible, and only seeks to advance the interests of CFTOD in its futile litigation that could derail investment within the district,” a Disney spokesperson told The Post in a statement.
Under legislation signed by former Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk Jr., the Reedy Creek Improvement District was an experiment in combining residential and commercial areas with a theme park. fake images
“Furthermore, it does not change the fact that the CFTOD board was appointed by the governor to punish Disney for exercising its constitutional right to free speech. “This report also comes on the heels of numerous media reports that have raised legitimate concerns about the governance of the district under his new leadership,” the spokesperson added.
“While the board may want to undermine Disney’s ability to continue investing in the region, we are extremely proud of our impact on Central Florida’s economy over the last half century and remain committed to maintaining the highest quality experience for tens of millions of people. of visitors who visit Walt Disney World each year.”
Auditors described the special district as a “stepping stone” for Disney, from which the company would go on to develop additional parks in Orange County and Osceola County, Florida, and eventually become an $82.7 billion media empire.
“Disney completely overrode the legislature and pulled off an incredible act,” the auditors wrote in their 72-page report to DeSantis and the Florida legislature. CRISTÓBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
“As of November 2023, institutional investors attribute more than 85[%] from Disney’s current stock market value to its businesses related to theme parks and consumer products,” the report also states.
DeSantis, 45, signed a law in February dissolving the district’s old board and installing a new five-person panel, believing the district had been governed in a manner “tantamount to corporate welfare,” the audit states.
That included “showering generous gifts and spending” on board members and district employees, “creating the impression that these employees worked to advance Disney’s interests, not those of the District or other owners.”
DeSantis, 45, signed legislation in February to get rid of the district’s old board and install a new five-person board, believing the district operated in a manner “tantamount to corporate welfare.” Florida Governor’s Office
According to the audit, district board members, other employees and their families enjoyed about $2 million in resort season passes and other benefits in recent years, along with discounts on cruises, merchandise, food and beverages from Disney.
Former board members tried to resist the governor’s changes by imposing last-minute district agreements for municipal services before leaving, and Disney sued DeSantis in April to try to keep those agreements in place.
At least one of those agreements would have lasted for 100 years, the report revealed.
Disney sued DeSantis in April for eliminating the special tax district. REUTERS
Meanwhile, the DeSantis-appointed board filed a lawsuit against the media titan for pushing the deals “behind the scenes” before the district changed hands.
When asked about the legal battle in August, DeSantis, a candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, said Disney should “go back to what it was.” [it] “he did well.”
“We’ve basically moved on, they’re suing the state of Florida and they’re going to lose that lawsuit. So what I would say is drop the lawsuit,” he told CNBC in an interview.
Critics, including Disney CEO Bob Iger, called it the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, arguing it would threaten LGBTQ youth. REUTERS
Last year, Disney spoke out against DeSantis’ Parental Rights in Education Act, which banned classroom instruction on gender identity or sexual orientation before the fourth grade.
Critics, including Disney CEO Bob Iger, called it the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. arguing that it would threaten LGBTQ youth.
The Central Florida Tourism District has also awarded contracts worth millions of dollars to local vendors as part of a new procurement policy to correct the anti-competitive actions of its predecessors.
Last year, Disney spoke out against DeSantis’ Parental Rights in Education Act, which banned classroom instruction on gender identity or sexual orientation before the fourth grade. fake images
One case highlighted in the report showed that Reedy Creek contracted with Disney for a $7.7 million highway construction project involving a golf course owned by the media company.
“[Y]”There was no evidence to support any economic analysis of that price or a comparison between the cost of entering into the agreement versus going through a condemnation proceeding,” said William Jennings, a forensic accountant who provided expert testimony for the report.
Other legislative proposals passed in the district used “lofty rhetoric that disguised the underlying wealth transfer that benefited Disney,” according to one of the auditors, Donald J. Kochan, a law professor at George University’s Antonin Scalia Law School. Mason.
DeSantis is a distant second in polls in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, trailing frontrunner former President Donald Trump by 47 percentage points, according to the RealClearPolitics average.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn