Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu is under federal investigation in connection with the city’s sale of Angel Stadium, according to information the city released Monday, May 16.

An affidavit filed in federal court May 12 says authorities are investigating whether Sidhu “shared privileged and confidential information with the Angels during stadium sale negotiations, actively concealed same from a Grand Jury inquiry, and expects to receive campaign contributions as a result.”

The warrant and affidavit came to light Monday, when state Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office requested that an Orange County Superior Court judge put on hold an agreement between the city and state that was intended to settle a dispute over whether Anaheim broke an affordable housing law with the stadium sale deal.

Bonta’s office became aware on Friday of the federal warrant that “sets forth serious allegations of unlawful conduct” related to the stadium sale, according to the court filing seeking to stay the agreement with the city.

“These allegations call into question not only the validity of the land sale, but of the Stipulation for Entry of Judgment that is currently pending before this court,” Bonta’s filing said.

It was not immediately clear which agency is investigating, but the deal to sell the city-owned stadium to SRB Management, Angels owner Arte Moreno’s business partnership, for $320 million has been under scrutiny since it was proposed.

Some critics have argued the sale price was low balled. A residents’ group filed an ultimately unsuccessful lawsuit that argued the city broke state open meetings law in crafting and approving the deal. And, state housing officials in December told the city it violated an affordable housing law.

City leaders have repeatedly denied these allegations and have said the city’s actions were lawful and in the best interest of Anaheim residents.

“We are troubled by this,”  Jim Vanderpool, Anaheim city manager, said in a statement. “Throughout this process, Anaheim staff and the City Council have worked in good faith on a proposal that offered benefits for our community.

“What has been shared with us was unknown to the city administration before today, and what is being described falls outside of the city’s process on the stadium,” he said. “We will continue to evaluate what this means and how to move forward in the best interest of our city.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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