News Reedy Creek Improvement District and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District

MisterPenguin

President of Animal Kingdom
Premium Member
His position was he didn't think it was breaking the law...
and he's mad he got told the same time other people were told.

But as any judge will tell you, ignorance is not a defense for breaking the law. Plus, he's sitting on the committee that is supposed to investigate and report this very kind of issue. Kinda screams "lacks qualifications" doesn't it?
Who was the fool responsible for telling me that I couldn't accept this position?

You were, sir.
 

LAKid53

Official Member of the Girly Girl Fan Club
Premium Member
His position was he didn't think it was breaking the law...
and he's mad he got told the same time other people were told.

But as any judge will tell you, ignorance is not a defense for breaking the law. Plus, he's sitting on the committee that is supposed to investigate and report this very kind of issue. Kinda screams "lacks qualifications" doesn't it?

He's not just a member, he's the bloody Chair. Staff would have had some form of orientation for new members of the Commission. Familiarized them on the pertinent portions of Chapter 112, what their role is, current investigations, etc. We did for members of the ERC.

Either he's completely clueless or a damn liar. I'm going with the latter as he was brazen enough to say the Commission's general counsel told him it was permissable, which the general counsel refuted. In writing.

Public employees have been fined for less. However, I doubt anything will happen, unless a watchdog organization sues. He needs to resign one of the two positions. This "I'm carefully studying the situation and weighing my options, including getting the OCTOD Board to amend my contract so I'm not in violation of Florida statute" is utter 🐂💩. Even if the Board removes the clause under which he can be dismissed as Administrator, that doesn't cure the violation of Florida law.
 

StantonZ

Active Member
And counterclaims from Disney have been filed in state courts.
I kind of get the "Disney denies" stuff in the beginning, and get the "Counts" at the end...but what does the "Affirmative Defense" stuff do in the middle (and I've never even heard the phrase "Equitable estoppel")?
This whole thing is turning into one big mess!
 

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
I kind of get the "Disney denies" stuff in the beginning, and get the "Counts" at the end...but what does the "Affirmative Defense" stuff do in the middle (and I've never even heard the phrase "Equitable estoppel")?
This whole thing is turning into one big mess!
That's where Disney defended their position in the matter.

Estop is basically that you can't go back on promises. This is a case where Wikipedia can be helpful and the first example used is pretty much this case.

The District is arguing that the contracts are void because the proper procedures were not followed, but they are actually the party that they allege did not follow proper procedure. They play games in their argument by using the District's two different names to make it as though different parties were involved, but legally they are one and the same entity. Contracts are supposed to be binding and you're not allowed to just get out of them because you later decide otherwise even if you did make an error. Disney is not allowed to nullify Universal Orlando's contract with Marvel even though they now own Marvel or even if they found out that Marvel did something wrong in making the deal.
 
Last edited:

DCBaker

Premium Member
The CFTOD has issued a new press release about a referral to the Florida Inspector General about an alleged scheme giving "perks and benefits" to district employees and their family members.

Referral Made to Inspector General Regarding Scheme to Funnel Millions of Taxpayer Dollars to Disney as Season Passes
Scheme that Funneled $2.5M Back to Disney Each Year Also Paid for Merchandise, Hotels, Cruises, and Food

Today, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has submitted a referral to the Florida Inspector General regarding millions of dollars’ worth of perks and benefits that the former Disney-controlled Reedy Creek Improvement District funneled back to Disney.

For decades, the former Disney-run RCID used taxpayer funds to provide season passes and amusement experiences to its employees and their family members, cover the cost of discounts on hotels, merchandise, food, and beverages, and give its own board members VIP Main Entrance passes. In 2022 alone, it cost taxpayers over $2.5 million.

In addition to constituting unethical benefits and perks, the scheme raises significant questions regarding self-dealing as the board members were only permitted a maximum of $100 per month in compensation per the Reedy Creek Improvement District Act.

The latest bill sent to CFTOD from Disney features a charge of $492,382.96 for “Q1 FY22 Tickets.” The scheme included the RCID government paying for “discounts” enjoyed by employees on all Disney purchases. Line items include government-paid handouts for “Merchandise Discount Usage” ($16,837.39), “Food & Beverage Discount Usage” ($4,969.52), and “Water Parks Discount Usage” ($3,764.48). It also includes employee handouts for hotel usage at the Disney Yacht Club Resort, Disney Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney Coronado Springs Resort. The bill can be viewed here.

Immediately upon discovering the scheme, the CFTOD set in motion plans to eliminate it. All CFTOD employees who require access to Disney premises to perform their official duties will still be able to access them.

 
Last edited:

LAKid53

Official Member of the Girly Girl Fan Club
Premium Member
The CFTOD has issued a new press release about a referral to the Florida Inspector General about "perks and benefits" for district employees and their family members.

Referral Made to Inspector General Regarding Scheme to Funnel Millions of Taxpayer Dollars to Disney as Season Passes
Scheme that Funneled $2.5M Back to Disney Each Year Also Paid for Merchandise, Hotels, Cruises, and Food

Today, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has submitted a referral to the Florida Inspector General regarding millions of dollars’ worth of perks and benefits that the former Disney-controlled Reedy Creek Improvement District funneled back to Disney.

For decades, the former Disney-run RCID used taxpayer funds to provide season passes and amusement experiences to its employees and their family members, cover the cost of discounts on hotels, merchandise, food, and beverages, and give its own board members VIP Main Entrance passes. In 2022 alone, it cost taxpayers over $2.5 million.

In addition to constituting unethical benefits and perks, the scheme raises significant questions regarding self-dealing as the board members were only permitted a maximum of $100 per month in compensation per the Reedy Creek Improvement District Act.

The latest bill sent to CFTOD from Disney features a charge of $492,382.96 for “Q1 FY22 Tickets.” The scheme included the RCID government paying for “discounts” enjoyed by employees on all Disney purchases. Line items include government-paid handouts for “Merchandise Discount Usage” ($16,837.39), “Food & Beverage Discount Usage” ($4,969.52), and “Water Parks Discount Usage” ($3,764.48). It also includes employee handouts for hotel usage at the Disney Yacht Club Resort, Disney Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney Coronado Springs Resort. The bill can be viewed here.

Immediately upon discovering the scheme, the CFTOD set in motion plans to eliminate it. All CFTOD employees who require access to Disney premises to perform their official duties will still be able to access them.


And employees NEVER get government rates for hotels, meals, rental cars. Disney tickets way back when.... 🙄
 

mmascari

Well-Known Member
it cost taxpayers over $2.5 million.
This the best type of misdirection. It's technically true, while giving the wrong impression. Since, certainly, the taxpayers should be upset by this wasteful spending, and we're all taxpayers right? Right?

If they had written "it cost taxpayers to RCID over $2.5 million" it would lose some if it's impact. As people began think, "I don't pay taxes to RCID, so it's some other taxpayer that should be concerned". If it was clear that the taxpayers to RCID all voted and desired to spend the money this way, it would lose a lot of the PR impact. 🤷‍♂️
 

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
This the best type of misdirection. It's technically true, while giving the wrong impression. Since, certainly, the taxpayers should be upset by this wasteful spending, and we're all taxpayers right? Right?

If they had written "it cost taxpayers to RCID over $2.5 million" it would lose some if it's impact. As people began think, "I don't pay taxes to RCID, so it's some other taxpayer that should be concerned". If it was clear that the taxpayers to RCID all voted and desired to spend the money this way, it would lose a lot of the PR impact. 🤷‍♂️
And isn't it amazing how the only time the taxpayers have voiced concern is over their plans?
 

flynnibus

Premium Member
Immediately upon discovering the scheme, the CFTOD set in motion plans to eliminate it. All CFTOD employees who require access to Disney premises to perform their official duties will still be able to access them.


Bet those firefighters are rethinking their rah-rahs now!

And the rest of the staff I bet are LOVING life with this transparency! Employment perks? NOT FOR YOU!
 

flynnibus

Premium Member
scheme.jpeg
 

drnilescrane

Well-Known Member
Disney offers those same terms, at the same price, to all of their Central Florida partners (including operating participants). Some choose to offer the benefits, some don't. I think RCID threatened to take it away from the firefighters in a previous negotiation.

I would be upset as a district employee to loose my MEP in a poor attempt to create a distraction from my management's blatant ethics violation.
 
Last edited:

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom