OC Corruption Scandal Archives – Voice of OC

A Gas Station Owner Says City Corruption Cost Him Money, Now He is Suing Anaheim

Hosam Elattar — Thu, 02 May 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Isa Bahu, a business owner, is suing the city of Anaheim alleging that public corruption kept his family gas station from being built and cost him money.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Anaheim’s Planning Commissioners Consider Letting Disney Privatize Public Roads

Spencer Custodio — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 12:56:00 +0000

Magic Way in Anaheim on Jan. 18, 2024.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024_Anaheim_Leopo-3-2.jpg?fit=336%2C189&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024_Anaheim_Leopo-3-2.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

Monday’s planning commission meeting is the first step in allowing Disney to privatize some public roads, which were detailed to remain public streets in the 1996 resort expansion agreement.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Anaheim Begins Implementing Changes From Fall of Reform Debates

Hosam Elattar — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 13:58:00 +0000

Anaheim City Hall.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AP_1261-2.jpg?fit=336%2C189&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AP_1261-2.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

City officials have to use government phones and certain Disney employees have to register as lobbyists as reforms roll out in the wake of Anaheim's corruption scandal.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Anaheim Changes How Political Candidates Fundraise in Wake of Corruption Scandal

Hosam Elattar — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 13:58:00 +0000

Residents, activists and community members rally for city hall reform in Anaheim on Aug. 15, 2023.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023_AnaheimCityCouncil_August_Leopo-4.jpg?fit=336%2C189&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023_AnaheimCityCouncil_August_Leopo-4.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

Two city council members are also calling for city staff to make it easier for residents to navigate campaign finance disclosures on the city website.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Is it Legal to Spend Tourism Dollars to Lobby Elected Officials?

Hosam Elattar — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 13:58:00 +0000

Anaheim Chamber of Commerce offices on Saturday, June 18, 2022.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AnaheimCommerce_2022_06_DevonJames_05-copy.jpg?fit=336%2C189&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AnaheimCommerce_2022_06_DevonJames_05-copy.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

A state auditor report on Anaheim’s tourism bureau is raising questions if it is legal to use tourism dollars to lobby elected officials.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Anaheim’s Scathing Audit Marks Another Chapter in a Corruption-Plagued City Hall

Spencer Custodio — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 13:56:00 +0000

Marisol Ramirez, the director of programs at OCCORD, chants with residents of Anaheim rallying against city hall corruption. CREDIT: Natalie Cartwright

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/City-Council-Rally_-14-scaled.jpg?fit=336%2C189&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/City-Council-Rally_-14-scaled.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

Residents, former council members and two California legislators react to a scathing state audit that alleges resort interests improperly spent tax dollars – including influencing elected officials.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Will the U.S. Attorney General be Next in Line to Probe Anaheim?

Hosam Elattar — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:16:00 +0000

Anaheim City Hall.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AP_1053.jpg?fit=336%2C189&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AP_1053.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

Congressman Lou Correa (D-Anaheim) is calling on federal officials to examine if federal tax dollars were illegally spent in Anaheim after a state audit alleged misspending by the tourism bureau.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Anaheim Looks to Change How Politicians Raise Money for Campaigns

Spencer Custodio — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 13:58:00 +0000

City officials during the city of Anaheim inauguration on Dec. 6, 2022. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP_1717-2-copy.jpg?fit=336%2C189&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AP_1717-2-copy.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

City council members could limit the time candidates can repay campaign debt – along with the amount they loan themselves – in the fallout of Orange County’s largest public corruption scandal in recent history.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Will a Disney-Backed Anaheim City Councilwoman Face a Recall Election?

Hosam Elattar — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 02:19:12 +0000

Councilwoman Natalie Rubalcava during her remarks regarding the FBI probe on Aug. 15, 2023.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0A4A1125.jpg?fit=336%2C189&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0A4A1125.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

City officials say just roughly 5,100 signatures are needed to spark a recall election of Councilwoman Natalie Rubalcava. Proponents say they have gathered over 9,000.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

What Have State Auditors Found in Anaheim’s COVID Bailout Spending?

Spencer Custodio and Hosam Elattar — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 13:58:00 +0000

Residents, activists and community members rally for city hall reform in Anaheim on Aug. 15, 2023.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023_AnaheimCityCouncil_August_Leopo-2.jpg?fit=336%2C189&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023_AnaheimCityCouncil_August_Leopo-2.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

The California Auditor, ordered by state legislators, was tasked with probing tax money sent to the Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anaheim – two entities heavily detailed in an independent corruption investigation.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Santana: Anaheim Offers Key Lessons on How To Clean Up a City Hall

Norberto Santana Jr. — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 13:58:00 +0000

A number of signs in favor of the council authorizing additional funding to complete the internal corruption investigation were seen inside city hall during the Anaheim city council meeting on Feb. 28, 2023. (Omar Sanchez / Voice of OC)

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/02.28.2023-Omar-Sanchez-Voice-of-OC-3.jpg?fit=336%2C189&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/02.28.2023-Omar-Sanchez-Voice-of-OC-3.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

Focusing in the New Year on the reforms that local politicians fought last year offers a roadmap to transparency and change.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Anaheim’s Free Tickets Increasingly Go to Nonprofits, But Insiders Still Benefit

Noah Biesiada and Hosam Elattar — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 13:58:00 +0000

Angels vs Astros game Sept. 29, 2019.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Angels.Astros.2019.09.EDIT-34.jpg?fit=336%2C189&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Angels.Astros.2019.09.EDIT-34.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

After a previous Voice of OC investigation found most of the tickets went to city staff and political insiders, Anaheim officials increased the number going to nonprofits and volunteers. Now they’re expected to overhaul the disclosure system.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Orange Becomes the Latest City in OC to Strengthen Lobbyist Rules

Hosam Elattar — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 13:56:00 +0000

Orange City Hall.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Orange.jpg?fit=336%2C189&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Orange.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

Officials in Orange are joining at least two other OC cities who are reexamining their lobbyist rules in light of one of the largest scandals of public corruption to rock the county.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Can an Ethics Officer Restore Trust in Anaheim After the FBI Corruption Scandal?

Spencer Custodio — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 13:56:00 +0000

The Anaheim city council dais on Tuesday, May 24 2022, with a vacant mayor seat.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AP_9137.jpg?fit=336%2C189&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AP_9137.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

City council members are moving forward with creating an ethics officer position in the wake of one of Orange County’s biggest public corruption scandals in history

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

What Could Campaign Finance Reform Look Like in Two OC Cities?

Hosam Elattar — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 13:58:00 +0000

Thomas Fielder, Carrolina Mendez, Rebecca Pasillas, and Miriam Arteaga walk and chant during the rally against city hall in Anaheim, California on Tue Feb 28, 2023. CREDIT: Natalie Cartwright

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/City-Council-Rally_-12-scaled.jpg?fit=336%2C189&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/City-Council-Rally_-12-scaled.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

Officials in at least two Orange County cities are debating making campaign finance reforms in the wake of the county’s recent public corruption scandal. Will it limit undue influence?

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Orange County’s Biggest Cities Tackle Lobbying Reform

Noah Biesiada and Hosam Elattar — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 13:58:00 +0000

The Irvine City Hall seal inside the city chambers on June 27, 2023.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023_IrvineCityCouncil_June_Leopo-2.jpg?fit=336%2C224&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023_IrvineCityCouncil_June_Leopo-2.jpg?fit=771%2C514&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

In the wake of the largest corruption to rock Orange County in recent years, officials in Anaheim and Irvine are looking to tighten rules on lobbyists. Will other cities follow?

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Disney’s Representative Could Soon be Considered a Lobbyist at Anaheim City Hall

Hosam Elattar — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 13:56:00 +0000

The front gates of Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif. on Thursday, April 13, 2023. Credit: Claire Annino, VOICE OF OC

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CityHallCityLandmark_Anaheim_2023_04_Annino-5-scaled.jpg?fit=336%2C189&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CityHallCityLandmark_Anaheim_2023_04_Annino-5-scaled.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

Anaheim city officials are bolstering their lobbyist ordinance – a change that will mean in-house lobbyists for companies like Disney will have to officially register in the wake of the corruption scandal.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

What Should Campaign Finance Reform Look Like in The Happiest Place on Earth?

Hosam Elattar — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 13:58:00 +0000

Disneyland guests walk towards the Anaheim, Calif. park’s entrance Friday, July 8, 2022. Credit: Renee Elefante / Voice of OC

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_3619.jpg?fit=336%2C189&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_3619.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

Anaheim officials are expected to debate Tuesday what campaign finance reform could look like in a city where Disney regularly finances a majority of city council members.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Visit Anaheim CEO Resigns After Allegations of Rerouting Tax Dollars

Hosam Elattar and Noah Biesiada — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 20:12:37 +0000

Anaheim residents hold up signs during the city council meeting on Tuesday, May 24 2022.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Daniel-Robbins-19.jpg?fit=336%2C189&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Daniel-Robbins-19.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

CEO Jay Burress resigned months after city contracted independent investigators accused him of being part of a plan to divert $1.5 million in tax dollars sent to Visit Anaheim. The state auditor is currently examining the situation.

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate

Anaheim Officials to Publicly Post Online Who They Meet With

Hosam Elattar — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 13:54:00 +0000

A resident holds up a sign during the rally against city hall in Anaheim, California on Tue Feb 28, 2023.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/City-Council-Rally_-8-copy.jpg?fit=336%2C189&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/City-Council-Rally_-8-copy.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" tabindex="0" role="button" />

Starting next year, Anaheim officials will have to post their meeting calendars on the city website – a new policy created in the fallout of a public corruption scandal. Will it bring transparency?

Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom. We rely on donations from people like you to sustain our news agency. Please make a contribution today: https://voiceofoc.org/donate