Companies Walt Disney Co FollowWILMINGTON, Delaware, June 27 (Reuters) - The Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) board did not act negligently when it criticized a sexual identity bill signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Delaware judge ruled on Tuesday, in a case the judge said was improperly directed by a conservative legal group. The ruling by Lori Will of Delaware's Court of Chancery means that Disney will not have to turn over internal records including years of board members' emails sought by shareholder Kenneth Simeone, who sued Disney in December. Disney's criticism touched off a war of words with DeSantis and led to the state removing the company's control of a special administrative district that promotes development around the Walt Disney World resort. DeSantis, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, has used his battle against what he calls "woke Disney" to raise his national profile. Simeone, Jonna and Disney did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

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Persons: Ron DeSantis, Lori Will, Kenneth Simeone, Will, Disney, Paul Jonna, Tom Hals, Jamie Freed Organizations: Walt Disney Co, Florida, Delaware's, Disney, Walt Disney, Thomas More Society, Thomson Locations: WILMINGTON , Delaware, Delaware, Wilmington , Delaware