FBI agents on Tuesday served search warrants at addresses connected to two elected officials in San Bernardino County and a media company executive in West Covina.
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Among the addresses raided were a residence affiliated with Ontario City Councilman Alan Wapner and the Chino Hills district office of San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman, the FBI confirmed.
The FBI also served a warrant at a residence affiliated with civil litigation attorney Frank Lizarraga, the former general counsel for the Southern California Association of Governments.
Warrants also were served at a business and residence in West Covina affiliated with James Su, the founder and president of EDI Media Inc., a Chinese-language multimedia company operating television, radio, print and digital news outlets. He also founded the Chinese American Film Festival and has promoted U.S.-China media and cultural exchanges through his work in broadcasting and entertainment.
EDI Media is the largest Chinese American multimedia company in the U.S., according to its website. Su founded the company in 1990.
FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said the warrants have been sealed by the court and that she could not disclose any information on the nature of the investigation.
Eimiller did not immediately respond to questions as to a possible connection to Ontario International Airport, and whether a warrant was served there. Sources said federal agents visited the Airport Authority offices on Tuesday.
“We are aware of an investigation being conducted by federal authorities. Because this is an active investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further while that process is underway,” said Steve Lambert, a spokesman for the airport. “We will continue to cooperate as appropriate and have no additional information to provide at this time.”
Lambert would neither confirm nor deny whether a warrant was served at the airport.
Ontario city spokesperson Dan Bell said the city clerk’s office was served with a subpoena about 1 p.m. Tuesday. The city The city confirmed it would cooperate with the FBI investigation.
House Rep. Norma Torres, who represents the Inland Empire, said she was “deeply troubled by reports that the FBI has executed warrants against elected officials in San Bernardino County.”
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“I am awaiting further information, but our community has zero tolerance for corruption at any level of our government, from the President down to the City Council,” she said.
Outside the expansive Mount Tricia Avenue home in West Covina on Tuesday morning, FBI agents appeared to be coming and going, with some focused on a white SUV on the property. Other agents appeared to be taking photos with a large camera.
The home sits on a highly affluent hillside area, which abuts the San Jose Hills and the former BKK Landfill.
A neighbor, who declined to give his name, said the operation appeared to begin in the early morning hours.
“I didn’t really know what was going on,” he said, adding the neighborhood is generally very quiet.
He said he didn’t know the family aside from the occasional waves and hellos. He said the family appeared to be talking to the agents as the operation unfolded.
West Covina City Manager Milan Mrakich said he was aware of FBI law enforcement activity in the city, but had no further information. This was echoed by Councilmember Tony Wu, who told the Southern California News Group that residents have been calling him to ask what was happening. The home belongs to Su, according to records.
When informed the residence raided belonged to Su, the former mayor said the founder and chairman of EDI Media has not been involved in city events in recent years. Wu also said in recent years he has not attended the Chinese American Film Festival, an annual event produced by EDI Media in Los Angeles.
Staff Writers Anissa Rivera, Ryan Carter and Mercedes Cannon-Tran contributed to this article.
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This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.