Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
Anaheim To Swear In New Mayor, Councilmembers
Anaheim Mayor-elect Ashleigh Aitken campaigned on a promise of cleaning up city hall.
(
Derek Humphrey
/
Courtesy of Ashleigh Aitken for Anaheim Mayor
)
Topline:
Anaheim will swear in a new mayor and three new council members on Tuesday evening. The changes come after revelations earlier this year that the FBI is investigating some of the city's major figures for corruption and influence-peddling.
The backstory: Anaheim has been without a mayor for more than six months. Former Mayor Harry Sidhu resigned in May after it became public that the FBI is investigating him for alleged corruption in connection with the now-canceled sale of Angel Stadium.
Mayor-elect Ashleigh Aitken beat out three challengers, including outgoing Council member Trevor O'Neil, to win her race with nearly 43% of all votes. Aitken is a former federal prosecutor who has promised to clean up city hall. She’s also the first woman elected to lead the city.
What's next for the Anaheim council? The new council will have to either appoint someone to the seat left vacant by Avelino Valencia, who was just elected to the State Assembly — or hold a special election in the coming months.
Besides that, Aitken and the rest of the council will face longstanding questions about the city's at-times deferential relationship with the powerful Anaheim tourism lobby.
Meanwhile, an independent, city-ordered investigation into the extent of political influence at city hall is ongoing. The results of that investigation are expected to be made public next spring.
Sponsored message
Go deeper:
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
