Florida ethics commission chair can't work simultaneously for Disney World governing district
The new administrator of Walt Disney World’s governing district can’t continue to work in his new job and be chair of Florida’s ethics commission at the same time
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
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