Anaheim Mayor Resigns Amid Angel Stadium Scandal

Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu has resigned amid a federal corruption investigation concerning the $320 million sale of Angel Stadium, the home field of the Los Angeles Angels since 1966. 

Sidhu, who was elected as mayor of the Southern California city in 2018, has not been formally charged with any wrongdoing but is being accused of bribery, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. Sidhu denies the allegations and resigned from his role “to continue to act in the best interests of Anaheim,” according to a statement by his attorney, Paul Meyer. 

• In a filed affidavit, an FBI special agent alleges that Sidhu gave the Angels confidential information at least twice during the city’s negotiations with the team.
• It alleges that Sidhu sought a campaign donation worth $1 million from the Angels.
• Sidhu is also accused of obstructing a grand jury investigation into the transaction. 

Last week, the sale of Angel Stadium to a company controlled by club owner Arte Moreno was put on hold after a judge issued a 60-day stay amid the investigation into Sidhu. The deal was originally agreed to in 2019 before community leaders and California regulators alleged that the plan violated affordable housing law.

Anaheim’s city council was scheduled to vote on a reworked plan meant to address the housing concerns in June 2022.

Not Alone

Sidhu isn’t the only political figure to relinquish his role due to the controversial sale. Melahat Rafiei stepped down as a member of the Democratic National Committee after charges of attempted bribery, which were later dismissed.