Judge assigned to Disney's lawsuit against Ron DeSantis disqualifies himself from presiding over the case

Jun 01, 2023 in "Reedy Creek Improvement District"

Posted: Thursday June 1, 2023 7:00pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Judge Mark E. Walker has disqualified himself from presiding over Disney's lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

Walker denied Ron DeSantis' motion to remove him from the case but decided disqualification was required due to a family member owning a small amount of stock in The Walt Disney Company.

The case has now been assigned to 46 year old Orlando-born Republican Judge Allen C Winsor, who was appointed by President Donald Trump in 2019.

Walker said in his order on disqualification.

"Although Defendant's motion to disqualify is without merit, I must consider a separate question of whether I should disqualify myself. On Friday, May 26, 2023, I learned, and later confirmed, that a relative within the third degree of relationship owns thirty shares of stock in Plaintiff's parent corporation, The Walt Disney Company. Upon learning this information, I became obligated to engage in a separate inquiry pursuant to the Code of Conduct for United States Judges to determine if the financial interest of my third-degree relative "could be substantially affected by the outcome of [this] proceeding." I have engaged sua sponte, stemmed from my doubt that I could set aside my resentment of the movant's scurrilous attacks on my family. Of course, in explaining my reasons for disqualification in Kelly, I am certainly not inviting parties to judge-shop by making scurrilous attacks on my family in future cases. I pause to note that the Code of Conduct for Unites States Judges does not impose a duty on judges to inquire into the financial interests of third-degree relatives. See Canon 3C(1)(d)(iii) in that inquiry and determined that disqualification from this proceeding is required under the circumstances.

You can read Walker's full filing here.

In the motion filed May 19, DeSantis claimed 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.

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

View all comments →

Sirwalterraleigh50 minutes ago

Arlen spectre syndrome…there is no known cure

JohnD1 hour ago

What political affiliation is he today? Anyone know? I can't keep up.

Sirwalterraleigh1 hour ago

If you believe recycling the same handful of people through positions with money influence is “healthy”… …what’s Charlie crist up to? 🤔

MisterPenguin1 hour ago

"I, as governor, will not be appointing myself as senator." "I, popular movie star, will not be in the next MCU movie."

JohnD1 hour ago

I don't see it happening. He already made clear his finishing out his term as Governor. Besides, he's an executive. I don't think Senate is his style, although he served in the House a few terms. If he lobbies for anything it would be AG. He's well suited for that as a former JAG officer. If not, he ran for President a few months in 2023-2024 to bolster his credentials. He leaves office in January 2027 as one of the best known Governors in the nation, ready to run in 2028 for President. Disney is no longer an issue for him. He's serving out his term.

Sirwalterraleigh1 hour ago

Well I highly doubt he’s gonna go take DWI cases in dade county Government seems to be rather addictive

jpeden1 hour ago

Based on the statement that I posted earlier I’d be very surprised if he did that. That type of statement doesn’t come out by accident or without him knowing about it.

JoeCamel1 hour ago

cough *scott* cough

ToTBellHop1 hour ago

He’s a term-limited governor who still sees a future POTUS in the mirror every morning. If he wants to be relevant enough to stage another campaign in 2028, he will want to be in Washington. And, if he never becomes POTUS, his “consolation” prize could be a 40-year career in the US senate since he’s still in his 40s. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t pick himself. Politicians want long-term jobs. That’s why so many former Governors become Senators.

Tom P.1 hour ago

How so? This is the constitutional and legal process for replacing sitting Senators. It has happened many, many times before. How is that a circus?

Stripes2 hours ago

To be clear, Disney is very happy with the current district board and particularly the new district administrator. They could not be more effusive in their praise for Kopelousos.

JohnD3 hours ago

I'm just saying she is more likely than himself. Not that he would appoint her. If he appointed someone already in office, then provisions would have to be made to fill that vacant position. She was only "elected" as a running mate. So easier to appoint her and appoint someone else to be Lt. Gov.

LAKid533 hours ago

Why would he appoint her? If it's not himself, I'd think he'd want someone within his inner circle.

JohnD3 hours ago

I think that's highly unlikely. More likely is the Lt. Gov. appointed Senator. As for relations, I think we're over that hurdle. Things have settled down. Seems "business as normal" to me.