Councilman's Travel Costs Hit $185,000

An Ontario City Council member faced new scrutiny after records showed he billed the local airport authority nearly $185,000 for travel. The figures were released this month under state public records laws. Alan Wapner made 72 trips between early 2021 and mid-2026. He served on the airport board until recently. The agency paid for his flights and lodging during that time.

The numbers place his spending far above his peers. Wapner received $184,997 from the airport authority. The other four board members combined for only $2,865 in reimbursements. One board president received that smaller amount. The other three never asked to be paid back. Wapner's total was 64 times higher than the group's combined total. Across five different agencies where he held seats, his travel cost $283,630. That averages to about 26 trips per year over five years.

The destinations included international cities like Hong Kong, Istanbul, and Amsterdam. He also traveled to Hawaii repeatedly. One trip to Maui in 2023 cost $8,939. That trip lasted 17 days and included a $7,000 rental for a large house. His wife joined him on several journeys. A trip to Rio de Janeiro in April 2026 cost $14,325. A visit to Hong Kong in September 2025 cost $12,701. Airfare alone for that final trip was $7,437.

Wapner defended the spending in a written statement. He said the travel was necessary for his role. He claimed the trips were not junkets. He argued they gave him access to key executives and federal officials. Those individuals make decisions that affect airport growth. The current board president said the spending followed rules at the time. However, he noted that other commissioners did not know about the trips. Wapner did not report back to the full board on a regular basis.

The investigation has expanded beyond just travel. Federal agents searched Wapner's home on July 28. They also searched the homes of other local officials and attorneys. Subpoenas were sent to the airport and city hall. No charges have been filed as of this week. The city council removed Wapner from all his committee roles. He has dropped his plans to run for mayor. He remains a council member, a position he has held since 1994.

The airport board has moved to change its rules. In late September, it approved limits on monthly stipends. Members can now attend one domestic conference per year and one international conference every two years. Advance approval is required for these trips. The board also voted to hire a full-time auditor. Wapner said the board was making him a scapegoat. He noted that travel was a standard budget line item.

Experts have weighed in on the findings. A law professor from UC Berkeley called the situation a clear example of corruption. She said personal profit from public service is the definition of corruption. She urged for clearer rules and more public scrutiny. Other agencies also paid for his travel. The City of Ontario paid $62,855. Omnitrans paid $17,578. Two other regional bodies paid $12,574 and $5,625 respectively.