Less than four months after its formation, a member of the controversial Central Florida Tourism Supervisory District Board of Supervisors has already resigned: Michael Sasso.
Sasso was one of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ original appointees to the Central Florida Tourism Supervisory District Board of Supervisors, which replaced the old Reedy Creek Improvement District board in February. An experienced attorney, Sasso is a partner at the firm that bears his name, Sasso & Sasso, in Orlando.
His term was due to expire in February 2027, making his resignation remarkably premature. Greg Angel, anchor of Spectrum News 13 confirmed the news today on his Twitter account.
Sasso or the CFTOD Board did not provide a reason or explanation, but it is worth noting that his wife was recently appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to serve on the Florida Supreme Court. Litigation between Disney, the CFTOD and the State of Florida, including Governor DeSantis, is still pending.
Disney, DeSantis and CFTOD board lawsuits
The Governor of Florida and the Walt Disney Company initially clashed over the corporation’s opposition to a hotly debated and controversial Florida law regarding classroom instruction and discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools. , along with several other recent state laws and similar proposals.
Bob Chapek was the CEO at the time and initially remained silent and passive on the issue, until massive internal criticism from cast members and controversy over Disney’s practice of making large political contributions to campaigns and individuals allegedly against of his own declared human principles became evident. .
In an apparent act of retribution for Chapek’s expression of dissent, the governor followed through with several verbal and legal attacks on Disney, including the attempted dissolution of Reedy Creek and the eventual transfer of power directly under his control. DeSantis argues that he is attacking a rather vague perception of something he calls “wake up politics” encroaching on the state.
After heated exchanges and dramatic actions taken by Governor DeSantis in an apparent self-described act of retribution, The Walt Disney Company sued the Governor and his newly selected board, citing a “targeted campaign of government retaliation, orchestrated at every turn by the Governor DeSantis. as punishment for Disney’s protected speech.” The plaintiff argues that this timeline of events “threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights.”
The CFTOD Board of Supervisors voted to file its own countersuit against Disney, essentially seeking to nullify and delegitimize the agreements Disney made with the former Reedy Creek Improvement District prior to its forced dissolution. The new 188-page lawsuit names the Board itself as a plaintiff against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. The district is asking the court to declare unenforceable, null and void Disney’s development agreement with the Reedy Creek Improvement District. They also ask that the same be done with the restrictive pacts, which in particular set the reference point for expiration at 21 years after the death of the last living descendant of King Carlos III, alive at the date of the document.
While Disney’s lawsuit is through federal court, the Board’s lawsuit is through Florida state courts.
A recent poll shows that Americans believe the court should rule in Disney’s favor over Governor DeSantis and that citizens are less concerned about “wake-up politics” than they are about other issues.
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