Two former Walt Disney Company employees filed a lawsuit against the entertainment giant, alleging they were fraudulently induced to relocate from California to Florida for a promised $1 billion campus that was later canceled.
The plaintiffs, Maria De La Cruz and George Fong, claim they were among 2,000 employees who were told their jobs would be transferred from California to a new campus in Lake Nona, Florida. Disney touted the move as an opportunity to consolidate teams and foster collaboration.
Both De La Cruz and Fong sold their homes in California and purchased new ones in Florida, only to have Disney scrap the relocation plans in May 2023. The lawsuit alleges that Disney knew or should have known that the relocation was uncertain due to an ongoing dispute with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
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“We were promised a bright future in Florida, but it turned out to be a nightmare,” De La Cruz said in a statement. “We lost our homes, our communities, and our sense of security. Disney needs to be held accountable for its actions.”
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, seeks damages for fraud, breach of contract, and emotional distress. It also seeks to represent a class of all Disney employees who were similarly affected by the canceled relocation.
A Disney spokesperson declined to comment to MSN News on the pending litigation but reiterated the company’s previous statement that it would work with employees on an individual basis to address their concerns..
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The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for Disney and other companies that are considering relocating employees to Florida. It could also set a precedent for how companies are held accountable for their promises to employees.
Additional Information:
- The lawsuit was filed on June 20, 2024.
- The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
- The case is expected to go to trial in 2025.
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