The highly anticipated independent investigation ordered by the City Council into corruption in Anaheim was released Monday afternoon, detailing numerous instances of potential Brown Act violations, dealings by a mayor and council structure that went unchecked and money that appeared funneled to the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anaheim.
The $1.5 million probe followed the 2022 revelation of FBI investigations into former Mayor Harry Sidhu and former Anaheim Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Todd Ament, which included allegations a self-described “cabal” of business and political leaders had exerted significant influence in Anaheim City Hall. Sidhu resigned and the City Council canceled the sale of Angel Stadium.
While the version of the 353-page report made public has several redactions, the city is sharing a complete copy with the Orange County District Attorney, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the FBI, officials have said. Anaheim councilmembers received an unredacted copy on Monday.
The report describes the close relationship between the city and the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, saying that it appeared “as if the city was merely subsidizing the Anaheim Chamber with infusions of money on a near-yearly basis.”
The city-commissioned investigators say in their report that Sidhu directed a $6.5 million in “grant” funds to Visit Anaheim then orchestrated the firing of former City Manager Chris Zapata after Zapata suggested the city should be paid back the money with interest.
Sidhu then directed CEO and President of Visit Anaheim Jay Burress to divert $1.5 million of that money to the chamber. If Buress was questioned about the money, Sidhu directed him to cover his story by saying it came from other reserve funds from Visit Anaheim, investigators said.
Anaheim City spokesperson Mike Lyster said in a statement that the city has begun reviewing the report and will continue to do so in the coming days.
“The report is part of…
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