A federal judge overseeing Disney’s civil free speech lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recused himself from the case Thursday, days after learning that one of his relatives owns stock in The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS).
The case will be taken over by Judge Allen Winsor, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, according to the court docket. Trump is running against DeSantis for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
Judge Mark Walker made the decision to remove himself from the case despite denying DeSantis’ motion for him to be disqualified. Attorneys for the governor and the other defendants had argued that Walker’s remarks in separate lawsuits drew questions about his impartiality in Disney’s case.
Walker, who was appointed to the bench by ex-President Barack Obama, in a court filing in United States District Court in Tallahassee, Florida called the governor’s argument “meritless.” But he nevertheless concluded in the same filing that he must disqualify himself “for reasons unrelated to Defendants’ meritless motion.”
Walker said he learned on Friday that “a relative within the third degree of relationship owns 30 shares of stock” in Disney’s parent corporation. The judge said he launched an inquiry into the matter and ultimately “determined that disqualification from this proceeding is required under the circumstances.”
While the judge did not identify the relative by name or relationship, third-degree relatives include great-grandparents, great grandchildren, great uncles and aunts as well as first cousins.
DIS shares progressed $1.36, or 1.5%, to $89.93.
