Florida Governor Ron DeSantis files motion to disqualify judge in Disney's federal lawsuit

12 days ago in "Reedy Creek Improvement District"

Posted: Friday May 19, 2023 4:48pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is attempting to remove Chief Judge Mark E. Walker from presiding over Disney's federal lawsuit against DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District regarding the state's retaliatory actions again Disney.

In the motion filed today, DeSantis claims that Walker should disqualify himself from the case to "prevent even the appearance of impropriety."

The claim relates to two unrelated cases where the Court offered "Disney" as an example of state retaliation.

Walker was nominated to serve as district judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida by President Barack Obama in 2012 and became chief judge in June 2018.

You can read the full motion here and the opening comments below.

Defendants move to disqualify Chief Judge Mark E. Walker (the Court) under 28 U.S.C. § 455(a) because the Court's impartiality in this matter might reasonably be questioned. This case involves claims that Defendants retaliated against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. based on Disney's viewpoints. Yet two previous times, in two unrelated cases, the Court sua sponte offered "Disney" as an example
of state retaliation. Those remarks—each derived from extrajudicial sources—were on the record, in open Court, and could reasonably imply that the Court has prejudged the retaliation question here. Because that question is now before this Court, and because that question involves highly publicized matters of great interest to Florida's citizens, the Court should disqualify itself to prevent even the appearance of impro-
priety.

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mkt8 hours ago

2 New filings in CFTOD v Disney. Nothing big, just notice of appearance and designation of email addresses for two CFTOD attorneys.

mkt15 hours ago

No new filings in either case as of 1:30pm Wednesday. You're halfway to the weekend, you've got this!

mkt15 hours ago

I did dirty deletes to make life easier for the mods.

Chi8415 hours ago

As far as I can tell it’s people who are poor but live on very valuable property.

flynnibus16 hours ago

I don’t even know who’s supposed to be moving..,

ParentsOf416 hours ago

Just scrolled through the last few pages. Is this thread about RCID or real estate prices?

Bocabear16 hours ago

I have lived here for 23 years...this is my home. My partner and I both work in the area, any move would cause at least one of us to have to find a new employer....and then there are friends, family, a sense of community and being... It is not just about making some cash grab. (in our location) we would have to leave the area entirely or move to a bad neighborhood in order to realize any profit ... There really is no getting ahead of it without great sacrifice to quality of life...

LAKid5316 hours ago

Perhaps because they are reluctant to discuss that with someone outside their culture? They are treated differently. I've witnessed my son-in-law be profiled. And he was born in Florida, is very light skinned (we jokingly call him "ginger") and his accent isn't that discernable.

Lilofan16 hours ago

A number of my friends are from Puerto Rico and they and their families including their grandparents came stateside years ago and some recently. In our times together no subject of being treated differently came up. I do love the welcoming embrace to me in their homes and the delicious PR food and the very addictive coquitos.

lazyboy97o17 hours ago

Nothing like a derail based on trite, shallow “advice.”

Lilofan17 hours ago

Yes my values is taking the money offered to me and improving life for our family.

Lilofan17 hours ago

There an areas that are cheaper COL without the hustle and bustle of south FL if one is willing look at options.

LAKid5317 hours ago

It's more than just $$$$ for some.

Lilofan17 hours ago

If a realtor offered me $2M I would be happy to sell and move on.