The Anaheim Chamber of Commerce has suffered a fatal blow from one of the largest corruption scandals in Orange County history. Three years after former CEO Todd Ament pleaded guilty to federal charges, the Chamber has decided to shut its doors. According to the Orange County Register, the organization will close at the end of the month.
“I have put forth my best efforts to keep the chamber open, but unfortunately, those efforts have not succeeded,” interim president and CEO Jerry wrote in a Friday email. “With the chamber now closing, I believe it is in its best interest of the organization that someone else step in to guide the final steps of this process with the dignity and care it deserves.”
Multiple investigations have placed the Chamber at the center of longstanding public corruption. Under Ament, investigators say the organization devolved into a political influence racket, wielding enormous clout over politicians to benefit businesses like Disney and securing millions of dollars in no-bid contracts. The Chamber was also heavily involved in recruiting officials for city office who, in turn, were expected to support the interests of the organization and its members. Ament described himself and these officials as part of a “cabal” that determined the direction of the city and its policies.
The corrupt dealings came to a head after the proposed sale of Angel Stadium in 2022. According to the FBI, the Chamber improperly worked with city officials to push the sale in a way that was favorable to private interests and not taxpayers. The city ultimately canceled the transaction after the corruption came to light. Two weeks ago, former Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu was convicted for his role in the scheme.
The Chamber reshuffled its leadership after the scandal, but it never recovered from the loss of events and contracts. The city also cut ties with the organization a few years ago. In 2023, Visit Anaheim canceled its subcontracting agreement.
Read more about the Chamber’s closure and what it means for the future of the city at Voice of OC.