By Mike Schneider
The chair of Florida's ethics commission has an ethics problem, but it's due to working at The Mouse rather than being a rat.
Glen Gilzean, the new administrator of Walt Disney World's governing district, can't continue to work in his new job and chair the Florida Commission on Ethics at the same time since Florida law prohibits public employees from serving as members on the commission, according to a legal opinion issued Thursday.
The ethics commission is charged with setting the standards of conduct for public employees and public officeholders in Florida, and it investigates complaints of violations.
Gilzean is an ally of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and was selected to the position in May by DeSantis' appointees who took control of the governing district's board. The takeover was in retaliation for Disney's public opposition to the "Don't Say Gay " legislation championed by DeSantis and Republican lawmakers.
Members on the ethics commission don't earn a salary. Gilzean earns an annual salary of $400,000 as the administrator of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
Gilzean had asked the ethics commission's lawyer to issue an opinion on whether it was kosher to hold both positions. The district is a taxing district and a political subdivision of the state of Florida, making Gilzean a public employee, according to the opinion from Steven Zuilkowski, the commission's general counsel.
"Maintaining the public employment is inconsistent with the requirements" of being a commission member, the opinion said.
An email seeking comment was sent Friday to Gilzean and a spokesperson for the district.
A fight between DeSantis and Disney began last year after the company, facing significant pressure internally and externally, publicly opposed a state law banning classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, a policy critics call "Don't Say Gay."
As punishment, DeSantis took over the district through legislation passed by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature and appointed a new board of supervisors to oversee municipal services for the sprawling theme parks and hotels. But the new supervisors' authority over design and construction has been limited by the company's agreements with Disney-supporting predecessors, which were signed before the new board took over.
In response, Florida lawmakers passed legislation that repealed those agreements.
Disney has sued DeSantis in federal court claiming the governor violated the company's free speech rights. The district's board members have sued Disney in state court, seeking to nullify the agreements.
Mike Schneider is an AP writer
Lil Wayne feels hurt after being passed over as Super Bowl halftime headliner. The snub “broke” him
Lil Wayne opened up for the first time about his devastation after not being selected as the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show headline performer in his hometown of New Orleans.
The rap megastar publicly expressed his hurt feelings in an Instagram video post Friday, nearly a week after Los Angeles-based rapper Kendrick Lamar was announced as the headliner. He said being overlooked "broke" him, adding that "I'm just trying to put myself back together."
Over the years, Wayne has been vocal about his desire to perform during halftime of the NFL's championship game, which will be held at the Caesars Superdome on Feb. 9. It will be the second time Lamar will perform during the halftime show after he made a guest appearance with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Eminem in 2022.
Wayne appeared somber in the video, saying he had to muster up enough strength to express his thoughts "without breaking."
"That hurt a whole lot," said Wayne, a five-time Grammy winner, who has a variety of hits including "Lollipop" featuring Static Major, "Mr. Carter" with Jay-Z, "Go DJ" and "A Milli." He also helped ignite the careers of Drake, Nicki Minaj and Tyga.
"I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown, for automatically mentally putting myself in that position," he said. "I thought there was nothing better than that spot, on that stage, on that platform in my city."
Wayne thanked his supporters — including Minaj and Birdman — who have spoken up on his behalf.
"I feel like I let all of ya'll down for not getting that opportunity," Wayne said.
However, Wayne also noted that "Your words turned into arms and held me up when I tried to fall back."
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