Former California mayor pleads guilty in MLB stadium selling scheme after federal investigation.
Former Anaheim Mayor Pleads Guilty in MLB Stadium Corruption Investigation
The former mayor of Anaheim, California, has agreed to plead guilty to obstructing an FBI corruption investigation into the sale of Angel Stadium, according to federal prosecutors.
Harish “Harry” Singh Sidhu, while serving on the city’s negotiating team for the deal, admitted to providing confidential city information to individuals associated with the Angels. This information was intended to give the team an advantage in purchasing the stadium.
“Sidhu later was recorded saying he expected a $1 million campaign contribution from the Angels after the baseball club purchased Angel Stadium,” the statement said.
The charges Sidhu will plead guilty to include obstruction of justice, wire fraud, and lying to authorities. If convicted, he could face up to 40 years in federal prison.
Sidhu’s attorney, Paul S. Meyer, stated that his client appreciates the thorough investigation by the U.S. attorney’s office. However, Marie Garvey, spokesperson for the Angels, emphasized that both the plea agreement and the city’s investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing by the Angels organization.
Sidhu resigned as mayor last year after news of the federal investigation broke. The City Council subsequently voided an agreement to sell the city-owned ballpark and surrounding land to the Angels owner, Arte Moreno, for development.
The original deal would have seen Moreno pay $325 million, with $150 million in cash and the rest in credits for affordable housing and a park. In return, the team would have committed to remaining in Anaheim until 2050.
After the deal fell through, Moreno and the Angels explored the possibility of selling the team, but ultimately decided against it in January.
“We realized our hearts remain with the Angels, and we are not ready to part ways with the fans, players, and our employees,” Moreno said in a statement at the time.
While Sidhu initially denied any wrongdoing, his plea agreement revealed that he had deleted emails and documents related to the sale and lied to FBI agents during the investigation.
In addition to the corruption charges, Sidhu also admitted to cheating California tax authorities and making false statements to the Federal Aviation Administration regarding the purchase of a helicopter.
No sentencing date has been announced for Sidhu, who will plead guilty to obstruction of justice, wire fraud, and making false statements to the FBI and FAA.
Donald Alway, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, expressed disappointment in Sidhu’s actions, stating, “Mr. Sidhu violated his pledge to work for the residents of Anaheim and their trust to look out for special interests.”
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
The post Ex-California Mayor Pleads Guilty After Feds Unveil Scheme to Sell MLB Stadium appeared first on The Western Journal.
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