Former Anaheim Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Ament has agreed to plead guilty to several counts of fraud and pay about $250,000 of taxes on unreported income, according to a plea agreement filed in federal court Thursday by the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Ament was charged last month with making false statements to a financial institution when seeking a loan to buy a home in Big Bear City in 2020.

Ament left the chamber last year, but had been a close advisor to former Anaheim mayor Harry Sidhu, who resigned his seat last month and is the subject of a separate federal investigation. Sidhu has not been charged with any crimes.

Under the proposed plea deal, Ament would admit that he “knowingly devised and participated in a scheme to defraud” a cannabis company; that he lied to obtain a pandemic relief loan and spent the money on personal expenses including at clothing stores and boat dealers; that he made false statements to a bank to obtain a mortgage; and that he filed false tax returns for 2017 through 2019 by significantly under reporting his income, the court filing said.

The agreement also requires Ament to fully cooperate with federal law enforcement and turn over any information requested.

Ament’s attorney, Sal Ciullla, could not immediately be reached for comment.

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

Related Articles