New Anaheim

08/11/2026

The Anaheim Investigator has uncovered evidence that Anaheim officials participated in a June 11, 2025 gala sponsored by the Association of California Cities–Orange County, where the City of Anaheim and Disneyland Resort were jointly honored with the group’s most prestigious award for their collaborative work on DisneylandForward, a multi‑billion‑dollar expansion of the theme park. Councilmembers and city staff didn’t just witness the presentation—they actively took part in it. Yet six days later, at the June 17th council meeting, no mention of it appeared in official proceedings.

The omission becomes more striking given the treatment of another award the city received at the same ACC‑OC gala: a staff honor presented to Sandra Lozeau, Deputy Director of Housing and Community Development, for her leadership role in tackling homelessness. Her recognition received prominent agenda placement, a detailed staff report, and enthusiastic public remarks during the June 17th meeting. By elevating Lozeau’s award while burying one tied to DisneylandForward, city leadership has raised questions about why information about the latter was withheld from residents.

Councilwoman Norma Campos-Kurtz (in yellow) accepting a joint award on behalf of the city for its partnership with the Disneyland Resort in June 2025. By DUANE J. ROBERTSEditor & Publisher The …

07/28/2026

The Anaheim Investigator has obtained photos showing ex‑Anaheim city manager James Vanderpool dining with councilmembers at an awards gala held on June 24th at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda. Vanderpool attended the event with his husband, Hernan Cortez, solely because he had been nominated for City Manager of the Year—a distinction that he ultimately did not receive, despite his long public tenure and the considerable political power he once wielded.

But his appearance at this private gathering comes as he still remains a deeply controversial figure in Anaheim, shadowed by scrutiny over his role in influence‑peddling scandals and the turmoil that followed. The gala’s exclusive nature raises questions about whether the same networks that shaped city policy in the shadows continue to operate with confidence, familiarity, and ease even as residents demand genuine accountability rather than recycled political theater that offers little meaningful reform.

Ex-City Manager James Vanderpool and his husband (center) dining with councilmembers at the Nixon Library on June 24, 2026. By DUANE J. ROBERTSEditor & Publisher The Anaheim Investigator has ob…

06/30/2026

It’s official! The billionaire tax will be on the ballot as Prop 40. This November, Vote YES on Prop 40 to ensure billionaires pay their fair share to keep hospitals and ERs open.

06/05/2026

05/29/2026

05/28/2026

The Anaheim Investigator has learned from campaign finance disclosures that the Hawaiian Gardens Casino in Los Angeles County--a card club that is owned by a Florida-based family which uses the profits it generates to bankroll far-right settler movements in Israel--has made thousands of dollars in contributions to multiple lawmakers here in Orange County, including State Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva.

Moreover, prima facie evidence suggests their motive for spending $221,302 to boost Ada Briceño, a union leader seeking to replace Quirk-Silva in the 67th State Assembly District, may be driven by the presence of an opponent aligned with California State Attorney General Rob Bonta, the latter of whom has aggressively pushed for tougher regulations of their industry, such as tightening dealer rules and limiting blackjack.

Sharon Quirk-Silva, a state assemblywoman currently serving the 67th District, with Victor Farfan, a Hawaiian Gardens city councilman, in 2023. By DUANE J. ROBERTSEditor & Publisher The Anaheim…

05/16/2026

Campaign finance disclosures reviewed by The Anaheim Investigator show that an independent expenditure committee tied to the Hawaiian Gardens Casino in Los Angeles County not only spent $202,701 supporting Ada Briceño’s bid for the 67th State Assembly District, but also delivered $11,800 directly to her campaign in cash contributions.

However, a card club license renewed in February 2025 by the California Gambling Control Commission confirms this casino is still owned by a Florida based family with a history of funneling tens of millions of dollars of its profits into a foundation they use to bankroll extremist settler movements in Israel involved in the displacement of Palestinians.

Ada Briceño, a candidate in the 67th State Assembly District, whose boundaries cover eight cities, including parts of Anaheim and Fullerton. By DUANE J. ROBERTSEditor & Publisher Campaign finan…