District: ‘No records exist’ for Moody’s probe into Disney agreements

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody came up empty on a public records request that sought to gain insight into agreements the Reedy Creek Improvement District’s board made with Disney ahead of a state takeover.

The district, which oversees government services for Disney World, determined “no records exist” for the request filed on March 30 by Moody’s office. A similar request filed by the Orlando Sentinel also yielded no documents.

Moody sought “documents discussing an intention or goal of circumventing, avoiding, frustrating, mitigating or otherwise attempting to avoid the effects of anticipated actions by the Florida governor and the Florida Legislature.”

The district’s previous board approved a development agreement and restrictive covenants on Feb. 8 that the new board says ties its hands to manage Disney’s growth in Central Florida.

Those deals were passed as state lawmakers voted in Tallahassee to allow Gov. Ron DeSantis to appoint the five board members. When the new board members took over, they discovered the agreements.

Moody asked for copies of emails, text messages and other correspondence from board members, district employees and other affiliates related to the deals.

John Guard, chief deputy attorney general, also wrote to the five former board members seeking any communications regarding the agreements on their personal devices.

The attorney general’s office is reviewing the district’s response and “evaluating our options,” spokesman Whitney Ray said.

A Reedy Creek spokeswoman did not respond to an inquiry about Moody’s request.

Reedy Creek board records show public notice was provided for the meetings when the agreements were approved. Disney issued a statement that its deals with the district were “appropriate” and done in accordance with Florida law

Moody, a Republican, is an independent constitutional officer elected by voters. She is a close ally of DeSantis and has supported former President Donald Trump.

DeSantis has vowed to overturn the agreements and has asked the state’s chief inspector general to open an investigation. The chief inspector general is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governor, according to state law.

As part of the state takeover, Reedy Creek is being renamed the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

DeSantis and Disney clashed over the corporation’s opposition to what critics call the “don’t say gay” law, which limits classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools.

Board members will discuss the investigation at their meeting on Wednesday, according to the agenda. They will also take up a resolution declaring themselves to be the “superior authority” on planning, zoning and land-development regulations over the Disney-controlled cities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista.

sswisher@orlandosentinel .com

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