Bill addressing Angel Stadium scandal signed into law

Sen. Thomas Umberg Courtesy photo

Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana) announced that his Senate Bill 34, aimed at addressing scandal surrounding the recent Anaheim Stadium deal and preventing future related controversies, was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom last week.

“I want to thank Governor Newsom for taking strong and decisive action on the kind of corruption that has been seen between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the City,” said Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana).

“Since 2019 Assemblymember Tom Daly and I have both maintained raised eyebrows about the lack of transparency with this proposal. With federal and state investigations just now underway, I am sure we are just beginning to scratch the surface with information here. In the meantime, however, this bill ensures that the residents of Anaheim will not be left holding the bag on a billion-dollar deal negotiated behind closed doors.”

Senate Bill SB 34, introduced by the Senator earlier this year, declares that certain contracts would be considered voidable if they were negotiated in connection to a bribe of a public official. It was introduced in response to the stepping down of Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu in May, as he was being accused by the Federal Bureau of Investigations of solicitation, bribery, and obstruction of justice.

The majority of the accusations have been centered on the city’s plan to sell public land to the Anaheim Angels. Investigators have alleged that the Mayor of Anaheim hoped to solicit $1 million or more in campaign contributions from the team in exchange for assistance in the deal.

“Media and local officials have consistently glossed over the fact that this stadium deal has, from the very beginning, attempted to skirt state law, keep officials and the public in the dark, and shortchange the residents of Anaheim by not reaping the full potential value of this property,” said Senator Umberg. “It is painful to watch the trust of the public be so egregiously eroded,” continued the Senator. “SB 34 is a big step towards helping to restore the trust of the residents of Anaheim and Orange County.”

SB 34 was signed into law on September 13th as Chapter 297 of the Statutes of 2022. Its provisions will take effect on January 1, 2024.