The Orlando Sentinel obtained internal emails regarding the firings of two officials and two other employees from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Thanksgiving Week Firings
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District severed employment contracts with four individuals:
- Eryka Washington Perry, director of communications
- Jason Middleton, chief of human resources
- an administrative assistant
- a facilities maintenance specialist
Central Florida Tourism Oversight District administrator Glin Gilzean released a memo to other members of the district that named the employees and called the firings “separations.”
“These separations were isolated and specific and are not representative of our team members who show up every day with excellence and a clear vision of a stronger tomorrow for our taxpayers and visitors,” Gilzean’s email said.
Washington Perry and Middleton had been hired to the former Reedy Creek District.
None of the four former employees have replied to requests for comment from Orlando Sentinel.
More Problems for Central Florida Tourism Oversight District
The firings come on the heels of a public delay to stipend payouts intended to replace the Walt Disney World Annual Pass benefit to employees. In October, a report indicated that over 30 employees have resigned from the CFTOD due to an “uncomfortable,” “stressful,” and “toxic” working environment, according to Jason Garcia for Seeking Rents. The District has lost more than 30 employees with a combined 350 years of experience since Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took control in early 2023.
Check out some of our recent coverage of The Walt Disney Company’s ongoing legal battles with DeSantis and the CFTOD:
- December Hearing Date Set For Arguments For Dismissal of Disney’s Federal Lawsuit Against DeSantis, CFTOD Board
- DeSantis Claims The State of Florida ‘Won the Battle Against Disney’
- Florida Judge Grants Disney’s Motion to Move December Hearing With Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Back to 2024
- Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Files Motion to Dismiss Disney Countersuit
What do you think of the latest development surrounding the CFTOD and the annual stipend it agreed to pay its employees? Let us know in the comments.
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