Following Governor Ron DeSantis’ controversial takeover of the Central Florida Oversight Tourism District, previously known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the district’s legal budget witnessed an over 60% increase, with the majority of the newly allocated funds going to one law firm in particular. The district, which includes Disney’s home and flagship theme parks as part of its jurisdiction, was taken over by the governor in 2021 following a disagreement with Disney’s then-CEO Bob Chapek regarding Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. This takeover severed Disney’s control of the district, a control which had been exercised since 1967.
As fallout of this administrative change, the district’s legal budget escalated. The most noteworthy beneficiary of this increase was the Winter Park-based law firm Fishback Dominick. The firm, which had not previously rendered its services to the district, took home nearly $700,000 within the second half of 2024 alone.
Inside details of this escalated budget and the circumstances leading to it can be found in the comprehensive coverage by the Daily Business Review.