30 (120)
Jennifer L. Hall
From:Perez, Cassandra <Cassandra.Perez@mail.house.gov>
Sent:Tuesday, May 24, 2022 7:58 PM
To:Public Comment
Subject:\[EXTERNAL\] Public Comment: Anaheim City Council 05.24.2022 - Item 30
Attachments:052322 Umberg Daly Correa Letter to Anaheim.pdf
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Good Evening,
Attached is a letter from Senator Umberg, Assemblymember Daly, and Congressman Correa.
Regarding the City of Anaheim’s Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, on Item #30.
Best,
--
Cassandra Perez | District Scheduler / Field Representative
Office of Congressman J. Luis Correa (CA-46)
2323 N. Broadway, Suite 319 | Santa Ana CA 92706
Tel: 714-559-6190 |
Cassandra.Perez@Mail.House.Gov
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May 23, 2022
Councilmembers
City of Anaheim
th
200 S. Anaheim Blvd, 7Floor
Anaheim, CA 92805
Re:Call for Recusal of Identified Councilmembers and Staff
Dear City Councilmembers:
We write to you today as a unified voice to requestan immediate investigation into current and former
Councilmembersthat have been identified as a part of the federal investigation.
As noted in our previousletter (dated 05-17-2022) on this subject, the Criminal Complaint filed by the federal
1
government in regard to Todd Ament, former Chief Executive Officer of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, and
2
corresponding Ex-Parte Application filed by Attorney GeneralRob Bontapose a multitude of questions with
which this Council and the taxpayers of Anaheim will need to grapple over the coming years.
In combing through the 150-pluspages of documents and the publicly-released wiretap transcript, we have noted
thatat least five former or sitting Councilmembers are referenced. These Councilmembers are generally identified
in the federal Complaint as follows:
-Elected Official 1 Council Member, City of Anaheim (page 10 et al.)
-Elected Official 2 Council Member, City of Anaheim (page 9 et al.)
-Elected Official 3 Council Member, City of Anaheim (page 9 et al.)
-Elected Official 4 Council Member, City of Anaheim (pages 13-14)
-Consultant 2 Former Council Member, City of Anaheim (page 20 et al.)
As new information continues to come to light about this federal investigation, fivethings are abundantly clear:
1)The proposed sale of Anaheim/AngelStadium must be cancelled;
2)TheCity Councilmembers identified in the investigation may be required torecuse themselves inany
negotiation involving the Anaheim/AngelStadium and cannabis issues untilafterthesecriminal
investigationsareconcluded;
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United States of America v. Todd Ament, Criminal Complaint by Telephone or Other Reliable Electronic Means,
dated 05-16-22
2
People of the State of California, and California Department of Housing and Community Development v. City of
Anaheim and City Council of the City of Anaheim, Ex Parte Application to Stay the Approval and Entry of the
Proposed Stipulated Judgement; Declaration of David Pai in Support Thereof, dated 05-17-22
Councilmembers, City of Anaheim
May 23, 2022
Page 2
3)Additionally,itisunclearifcitystaffinvolvedinthefederalinvestigationcanevenparticipateinan
unbiasedrecommendationregardinganydetailsonthissubject;
4)In conducting any future negotiations with the Angels --the non-recused Anaheim Councilmembers
should appoint a professional and independent negotiator; and
5)Prior to continuing any negotiation an independent appraisal be performed of any proposed property
being considered for sale.
We, the undersigned, have the best interests of the city and taxpayers of Anaheim in mind.It is not in the best
interest of the city nor its taxpayers to move forward with the sale of the Anaheim/AngelStadium, an
arrangement that appears to have been negotiated illegally.
We want toonce againurge you to act expeditiously and determinedly to rectify this matter and seek justice for
our shared constituents. As continuously offered, we stand ready to assist with any state legislation or action that
may be needed as a result of the investigationsand reviews, including (but not limited to): clarification of the
California Surplus Lands Act; the tightening of, or increasingpenalties associated with, corruption; and/or the
negotiation of public contracts by officials not acting expressly on the pub
We look forward to your next steps and restoring the trust of Anaheim residents in their local government.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. UmbergTom Daly
thth
Senator, 34DistrictAssemblymember, 69District
Lou Correa
th
Congressmember, 46District