Wapner Watch
ONGOING: Alan Wapner's home was searched as part of a federal investigation on July 28, 2026 — Last updated September 5, 2026

Media coverage

News & Public Record Coverage

Verified reporting from major outlets covering the federal investigation, campaign finance questions, and public record on Alan Wapner.

Featured Coverage

Institutional ConsequenceSeptember 4, 2026

Daily Bulletin / SCNG

Alan Wapner paid 4 times as much as most Ontario airport board peers

Daily Bulletin reporting based on an OIAA California Public Records Act response states Wapner received $233,449 in airport board stipends from 2017 through July 2026, compared with $62,100, $59,865, and $64,050 for three fellow commissioners. The report describes the 2024 bylaw change and notes that stipends are separate from expense reimbursements.

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Institutional ConsequenceAugust 17, 2026

KVCR Public Media

8/17 KVCR Midday News: Ontario's Alan Wapner steps down from committees

KVCR's midday news broadcast reports that Ontario Councilmember Alan Wapner has stepped away from several regional roles following the July 28 FBI search of his home. Wapner reiterated his statement that the situation had become a distraction and that he was stepping back from external responsibilities to focus on serving Ontario and his District 3 re-election campaign.

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Institutional ConsequenceAugust 14, 2026

San Bernardino Sun / SCNG

Ontario councilmember targeted in FBI probe resigns from city-appointed posts

Alan Wapner submitted a written resignation from the Ontario International Airport Authority, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, and Omnitrans — where he held City of Ontario appointments — effective August 15, 2026. Wapner said Mayor Paul Leon had made clear his intention to remove him and that he chose to resign on his own terms. Mayor Leon confirmed he had already decided to replace Wapner on the regional appointments.

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Institutional ConsequenceAugust 12, 2026

San Bernardino County Sentinel

Wapner Stepping Down From All Committee, Commission, Board & Adjunct Posts, Effective Friday

The Sentinel reports that Wapner dropped an unsigned resignation letter at the Ontario City Clerk's Office on Tuesday, August 12, saying he would return Friday to sign it. The piece details his arm-twisting of Councilman Jim Bowman over the weekend of August 8–9 in an attempt to block a council removal vote, and reports that Wapner ultimately abandoned that strategy. The Sentinel notes Wapner has been the only president of the Ontario International Airport Authority Board since its inception in 2012, and that Councilwoman Debra Dorst-Porada is expected to replace him at the August 18 council meeting.

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ElectionsAugust 11, 2026

KVCR Public Media

FBI search fallout in San Bernardino County shakes up Ontario elections

KVCR reports that Wapner has withdrawn from the mayor's race and is running for District 3, and that he has endorsed Councilwoman Daisy Macias for mayor. Macias has filed to run. Mayor Paul Leon, also running for re-election, said he had already decided to replace Wapner on regional appointments because Wapner had 'become a distraction.' The council is set to continue discussing Wapner's removal at its August 18 meeting. Supervisor Hagman's son Jonathan withdrew from the District 3 race on August 4.

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Government ContractsAugust 9, 2026

Press Enterprise / SCNG

Lizarraga owed $38,584 in back rent on San Bernardino County lease, records show

Frank Lizarraga Jr. fell into arrears on a county-owned property lease, according to county records reviewed by the Southern California News Group.

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Federal InvestigationAugust 8, 2026

Los Angeles Times

FBI searches homes of Ontario officials as part of federal corruption probe

Federal agents searched the homes of Ontario City Council member Alan Wapner and airport authority figures as part of an ongoing federal investigation.

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Showing articles

Institutional ConsequenceSeptember 4, 2026

Daily Bulletin / SCNG

Alan Wapner paid 4 times as much as most Ontario airport board peers

Daily Bulletin reporting based on an OIAA California Public Records Act response states Wapner received $233,449 in airport board stipends from 2017 through July 2026, compared with $62,100, $59,865, and $64,050 for three fellow commissioners. The report describes the 2024 bylaw change and notes that stipends are separate from expense reimbursements.

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Institutional ConsequenceAugust 18, 2026

City of Ontario / Public Record

Ontario City Council meets August 18; Wapner replacement on regional boards on agenda

The Ontario City Council held its regular meeting on August 18, 2026. The agenda included action on replacing Alan Wapner on regional appointments — including the Ontario International Airport Authority, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, and Omnitrans — following his August 10 resignation letter and the resignations that took effect August 15. The meeting record, minutes, and any council action on Wapner-related items are primary documents to be obtained from the Ontario City Clerk. This entry will be updated when official minutes and any related coverage are confirmed.

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Institutional ConsequenceAugust 17, 2026

KVCR Public Media

8/17 KVCR Midday News: Ontario's Alan Wapner steps down from committees

KVCR's midday news broadcast reports that Ontario Councilmember Alan Wapner has stepped away from several regional roles following the July 28 FBI search of his home. Wapner reiterated his statement that the situation had become a distraction and that he was stepping back from external responsibilities to focus on serving Ontario and his District 3 re-election campaign.

Read full article
Institutional ConsequenceAugust 14, 2026

KVCR Public Media

Weekly News Wrap with Cassie MacDuff 8/14/26

KVCR's weekly news wrap leads with the continuing FBI searches involving western San Bernardino County officials, covering developments since the previous week's reporting including Wapner's resignation from regional boards and the broader fallout from the July 28 federal search warrants.

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Institutional ConsequenceAugust 14, 2026

Press Enterprise / SCNG

Ontario councilmember targeted in FBI probe resigns from city-appointed posts

Press-Enterprise mirror of the Joe Nelson SCNG report documenting Wapner's August 10 resignation letter and August 15 effective date from the Ontario International Airport Authority, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, and Omnitrans.

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Institutional ConsequenceAugust 14, 2026

Daily Bulletin / SCNG

Ontario councilmember targeted in FBI probe resigns from city-appointed posts

Daily Bulletin mirror of the Joe Nelson SCNG report documenting Wapner's August 10 resignation letter and August 15 effective date from the Ontario International Airport Authority, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, and Omnitrans.

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Institutional ConsequenceAugust 14, 2026

San Bernardino Sun / SCNG

Ontario councilmember targeted in FBI probe resigns from city-appointed posts

Alan Wapner submitted a written resignation from the Ontario International Airport Authority, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, and Omnitrans — where he held City of Ontario appointments — effective August 15, 2026. Wapner said Mayor Paul Leon had made clear his intention to remove him and that he chose to resign on his own terms. Mayor Leon confirmed he had already decided to replace Wapner on the regional appointments.

Read full article
Institutional ConsequenceAugust 12, 2026

San Bernardino County Sentinel

Wapner Stepping Down From All Committee, Commission, Board & Adjunct Posts, Effective Friday

The Sentinel reports that Wapner dropped an unsigned resignation letter at the Ontario City Clerk's Office on Tuesday, August 12, saying he would return Friday to sign it. The piece details his arm-twisting of Councilman Jim Bowman over the weekend of August 8–9 in an attempt to block a council removal vote, and reports that Wapner ultimately abandoned that strategy. The Sentinel notes Wapner has been the only president of the Ontario International Airport Authority Board since its inception in 2012, and that Councilwoman Debra Dorst-Porada is expected to replace him at the August 18 council meeting.

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Campaign FinanceAugust 11, 2026

San Bernardino County Sentinel

Lee & Associates Principal Plowman Disputing Involvement In Wapner Graftfest

An attorney for Carol Plowman, a founding principal of Lee & Associates in Ontario, sent a letter to the Sentinel characterizing as 'categorically false' reports linking her to an effort to force the sale of 198 acres of airport property to a Lee & Associates / Sares Regis consortium at below-market price. The Sentinel responds by publishing Plowman's itemized donation history to Wapner — more than $28,000 across 22 transactions from 1999 to 2022 — drawn from Form 460 filings. The piece details the legal framework under Government Code §84308 and parallel federal statutes forming the basis of the FBI investigation.

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Federal InvestigationAugust 11, 2026

KVCR Public Media

8/11 KVCR Midday News: Fallout from FBI Raid in Ontario Continues

KVCR's midday news broadcast reports on the continuing fallout from the July 28 FBI search of Wapner's home, including his withdrawal from the mayoral race and the ongoing federal investigation into the Ontario International Airport Authority.

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Federal InvestigationAugust 11, 2026

HeySoCal / Arcadia Weekly

Arcadia councilman used company in FBI raids for campaign media

HeySoCal reports that Arcadia Councilman Michael Cao used EDI Media — the James Su company whose offices were searched by the FBI on July 28 — for campaign media services. The piece places Wapner among the officials whose properties were searched and connects the Ontario probe to the wider federal foreign-influence investigation targeting Chinese-language media operations in Southern California.

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ElectionsAugust 11, 2026

KVCR Public Media

FBI search fallout in San Bernardino County shakes up Ontario elections

KVCR reports that Wapner has withdrawn from the mayor's race and is running for District 3, and that he has endorsed Councilwoman Daisy Macias for mayor. Macias has filed to run. Mayor Paul Leon, also running for re-election, said he had already decided to replace Wapner on regional appointments because Wapner had 'become a distraction.' The council is set to continue discussing Wapner's removal at its August 18 meeting. Supervisor Hagman's son Jonathan withdrew from the District 3 race on August 4.

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Government ContractsAugust 9, 2026

Press Enterprise / SCNG

Lizarraga owed $38,584 in back rent on San Bernardino County lease, records show

Frank Lizarraga Jr. fell into arrears on a county-owned property lease, according to county records reviewed by the Southern California News Group.

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Federal InvestigationAugust 8, 2026

Los Angeles Times

FBI searches homes of Ontario officials as part of federal corruption probe

Federal agents searched the homes of Ontario City Council member Alan Wapner and airport authority figures as part of an ongoing federal investigation.

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Federal InvestigationAugust 8, 2026

CBS News Los Angeles

FBI raids homes connected to Ontario airport authority amid federal probe

CBS News Los Angeles confirmed federal agents executed search warrants at multiple locations tied to the Ontario International Airport Authority.

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Federal InvestigationAugust 8, 2026

ABC7 Eyewitness News

Ontario city official's home searched by FBI in corruption investigation

ABC7 reported that FBI agents searched the home of Alan Wapner as part of a broader federal corruption investigation.

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ResponsesAugust 7, 2026

Daily Bulletin

Wapner declines to comment on FBI search of his Ontario home

Alan Wapner declined to comment after FBI agents searched his Ontario residence as part of a federal investigation.

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Government ContractsAugust 6, 2026

San Bernardino County Sentinel

Federal investigation expands to Ontario airport authority contracts

The federal investigation into Ontario airport authority figures has expanded to include scrutiny of government contracts awarded in recent years.

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Public IntegrityAugust 6, 2026

Press Enterprise

Lizarraga lawsuit alleges forged documents in business dispute

A civil lawsuit filed against Frank Lizarraga Jr. alleges he forged documents to alter ownership stakes in a shared business venture.

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Public IntegrityAugust 6, 2026

Los Angeles Times

Ontario airport authority figure faces civil fraud allegations

Frank Lizarraga Jr., a figure connected to the Ontario International Airport Authority, faces civil fraud allegations in a San Bernardino County lawsuit.

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Campaign FinanceAugust 6, 2026

Daily Bulletin

Wapner campaign received contributions from airport authority figures

Campaign finance records show Alan Wapner's council campaign received contributions from individuals connected to the Ontario International Airport Authority.

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Campaign FinanceAugust 6, 2026

San Bernardino County Sentinel

FPPC records show Macias committee reported $40K campaign loan from Wapner committee

California campaign filings show the Macias committee reported a $40,000 campaign loan from Alan Wapner’s campaign committee. Wapner Watch identifies Macias as a District 4 candidate; source-record District 3 wording is treated as a filing discrepancy.

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Federal InvestigationAugust 4, 2026

World Socialist Web Site

FBI raids homes of Southern California officials in corruption probe

The WSWS reported on FBI raids targeting Southern California officials including Ontario City Council member Alan Wapner.

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Federal InvestigationAugust 4, 2026

Press Enterprise

Ontario council member Wapner among those whose homes were searched by FBI

Press Enterprise confirmed Alan Wapner's Ontario home was among properties searched by FBI agents as part of a federal investigation.

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Government ContractsAugust 2, 2026

Daily Bulletin

Ontario airport authority under federal scrutiny over contracts

The Ontario International Airport Authority faces federal scrutiny over the awarding of contracts, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

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Federal InvestigationAugust 1, 2026

Los Angeles Times

FBI investigating Ontario airport authority figures

The Los Angeles Times first reported that the FBI is investigating figures connected to the Ontario International Airport Authority.

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ResponsesAugust 2026

Alan Wapner / Campaign

Wapner statement: 'I have done nothing wrong'

Alan Wapner issued a statement saying he has done nothing wrong and is cooperating with investigators.

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Federal InvestigationJuly 31, 2026

KVCR News

Ontario officials connected to FBI investigation, sources say

KVCR News reported that Ontario officials are connected to an ongoing FBI investigation into the airport authority.

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Federal InvestigationJuly 31, 2026

San Bernardino County Sentinel

FBI probe targets Ontario airport authority leadership

The San Bernardino County Sentinel reported that the FBI probe targets leadership of the Ontario International Airport Authority.

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Federal InvestigationJuly 30, 2026

CBS News Los Angeles

Search warrants executed at Ontario airport authority-linked properties

CBS News Los Angeles reported that search warrants were executed at properties linked to the Ontario International Airport Authority.

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Federal InvestigationJuly 29, 2026

ABC7 Eyewitness News

FBI agents seen at Ontario official's home Monday morning

ABC7 cameras captured FBI agents at the Ontario home of Alan Wapner on the morning of July 28, 2026.

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Federal InvestigationJuly 28, 2026

Los Angeles Times

FBI raids homes of Ontario officials in corruption investigation

FBI agents executed search warrants at the homes of Ontario officials including Alan Wapner on July 28, 2026.

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Federal InvestigationJuly 28, 2026

Los Angeles Times

Gary Hagman's home also searched in FBI probe

The home of Gary Hagman, another figure connected to the Ontario airport authority, was also searched by FBI agents on July 28, 2026.

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Federal InvestigationJuly 28, 2026

Los Angeles Times

Julia Su connected to FBI investigation into Ontario airport authority

Julia Su is among the figures connected to the FBI investigation into the Ontario International Airport Authority, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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Public IntegrityJuly 21, 2026

San Bernardino County Superior Court

Wapner et al. v. Garcia filed — Lizarraga Law Firm as attorney of record

Alan Wapner, Judi Wapner, and Daisy Macias filed a verified civil complaint (Case No. CIVSB2621487) with Frank J. Lizarraga Jr. of Lizarraga Law Firm, APC as attorney of record — seven days before the federal searches.

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Public IntegrityJanuary 2026

San Bernardino County Superior Court

Shih v. Lizarraga civil complaint filed in San Bernardino County

Phyllis Shih filed a civil complaint against Frank J. Lizarraga Jr. in San Bernardino County Superior Court (Case No. CIVRS2511060), alleging fraud and forgery in a business dispute. Lizarraga has filed a cross-complaint against Shih; Shih has filed an Answer denying those allegations.

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Elections2026

City of Ontario

Wapner running for Ontario City Council District 3, November 2026

Alan Wapner is a candidate for Ontario City Council District 3 in the November 2026 election, running amid the ongoing federal investigation.

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Government ContractsApril 29, 2025

San Bernardino County Records

County Board approves negotiated 22-year El Prado lease extension — chooses El Prado Development LLC over competitive procurement

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors voted 4–1 on April 29, 2025 to approve a negotiated 22-year sublease extension (through August 31, 2047) with El Prado Development, LLC, whose managing member is identified in County records as Frank Lizarraga. The Board was presented with two alternatives: approve the negotiated agreement or proceed with competitive procurement. The Board selected the negotiated agreement. This action followed the February 11, 2025 Board resolution (No. 25-53) that had authorized sole-source negotiations with the existing operator. Starting base rent: $11,000/month. Required repairs: approximately $4.1 million.

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Government ContractsFebruary 11, 2025

San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors / Public Record

County Board adopts Resolution No. 25-53 — authorizes sole-source negotiations with El Prado Development LLC, waives competitive solicitation

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 25-53 on February 11, 2025, authorizing County Real Estate Services to use an alternative procurement procedure and waiving the ordinary competitive solicitation process for purposes of negotiating with the existing El Prado Golf Course operator. The resolution authorized sole-source negotiations with El Prado Development, LLC and contemplated bringing any negotiated agreement back to the Board for final approval. The February 11 action authorized noncompetitive/sole-source negotiations; it did not itself award the 22-year lease extension. The Board subsequently approved the negotiated long-term agreement on April 29, 2025.

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Campaign FinanceNovember 2024

California FPPC Records

Wapner campaign finance filings show $40K contribution to Macias committee

California campaign-finance filings show the Macias committee reported a $40,000 campaign loan from Wapner’s committee. The primary records classify the transaction as a loan.

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Campaign Finance2022-2024

California FPPC Records

Wapner campaign finance patterns: airport authority donors, 2022-2024

A review of FPPC filings shows a pattern of contributions to Alan Wapner's campaign from individuals and entities connected to the Ontario International Airport Authority.

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Government Contracts2019-2025

Ontario International Airport Authority

OIAA contract awards and board composition, 2019-2025

Public records show the Ontario International Airport Authority awarded contracts to entities with connections to board members and their associates during this period.

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Elections2014-2026

City of Ontario / OIAA

Alan Wapner: Ontario City Council member and OIAA President, 2014-2026

Alan Wapner has served as an Ontario City Council member and as President of the Ontario International Airport Authority, positions he has held since 2014.

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