We, the residents of Anaheim, are demanding transparency and accountability regarding the misuse of taxpayer dollars during the pandemic.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 crisis, the City of Anaheim allocated $6.5 million to Visit Anaheim, the Tourism Bureau, to promote businesses, including Disney, which was closed at the time. However, there is one and a half million dollars that is unaccounted for from this relief fund. This money was secretly funneled to a nonprofit controlled by the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, with no oversight or explanation.

Council Member Natalie Rubalcava raised questions about the missing funds in January, but since then, there has been no clear update or action. A state audit revealed that Visit Anaheim misused taxpayer dollars and didn’t actually need the $6.5 million. An independent city investigation confirmed that the missing $1.5 million was improperly directed, but Visit Anaheim insists that the funds came from their own accounts, not the COVID relief funds. Both audits, however, dispute this claim.

While Visit Anaheim kept the money, marketing efforts only benefitted large businesses, while Anaheim residents and small businesses saw no support. Now, in April, we are still waiting for the return of the missing funds, but only private meetings between city officials, Visit Anaheim, Disney, and hotel executives have taken place.

We demand that our elected leaders act with transparency. This is public money, and we deserve to know where it went. We call on city officials to continue pressing for answers and to ensure the return of the $1.5 million. We need our resources to be invested in Anaheim residents, not just the resort industry.

Sign this petition and stand up for Anaheim residents! Demand that our city leaders hold Visit Anaheim and Disney accountable for the lost funds and fight for transparency in how our tax dollars are spent.

Sign below to show your support for transparency and the return of the $1.5 million!

Together, we can demand real change and ensure accountability in our city.