Disney Employees Sue Over Canceled $1 Billion Lake Nona Relocation

Two Disney employees, Maria De La Cruz and George Fong, are suing the company after being forced to relocate from California to Florida for a now-canceled project. Announced in 2021 by then-CEO Bob Chapek, the $1 billion Lake Nona project aimed to move 2,000 jobs to Florida. However, the project was scrapped in May 2023 after Bob Iger returned as CEO, amid a political battle with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, alleges Disney misrepresented its plans, causing significant financial and emotional distress to the plaintiffs and around 250 affected employees. Both plaintiffs had sold their homes in California and bought new ones in Florida, only to face another relocation back to California. The suit claims the move resulted in financial losses due to fluctuating home prices and interest rates.