Ontario Councilman Claims $185,000 for Airport Travel

Alan Wapner, a member of the Ontario City Council, billed the Ontario International Airport Authority $184,997 for 72 trips between March 2021 and June 2026. Public records released under the California Public Records Act detail these charges. Wapner served on the airport authority board until recently.

The spending pattern emerged over five years. Wapner held seats on five different public agencies during this period. Across these organizations, he reported 132 trips, averaging about 26 per year. The five agencies collectively paid $283,630 for his travel. The airport authority paid the largest share. The other four boards paid a combined total of $98,632.

The airport authority figure is 64 times larger than the total travel reimbursement for the other four board members combined. Board president Ron Loveridge received $2,865 for travel between 2021 and 2026. The other three airport board members did not request reimbursement for any trips during this period.

Wapner traveled to Hong Kong, Rio de Janeiro, the Bahamas, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Madrid. He also made repeated visits to Hawaii. In January 2023, he charged $8,939.40 for a 17-day conference trip to Maui. This expense included a $7,000 rental of a three-bedroom house in Lahaina. In April 2026, a trip to Rio de Janeiro cost $14,325. Wapner’s wife accompanied him on several of these journeys. A September 2025 trip to Hong Kong cost $12,701, with airfare alone amounting to $7,437.

Wapner defended the expenses in an email. He wrote, "My travel was necessary for me to be effective in my position." He stated that none of the trips were junkets. He claimed the travel provided access to airline executives, concession operators, and federal officials who influence airport growth. Loveridge said the spending met authority rules at the time. He noted that commissioners did not know about the trips because Wapner did not report back to the full board. Loveridge added that the money came from airport revenue, not tax dollars. Wapner earned about $250,000 in meeting stipends from the authority over the past decade.

The FBI searched Wapner’s home in Ontario on July 28. Agents also searched the homes or offices of Supervisor Curt Hagman, attorney Frank Lizarraga, and others connected to businessman James Su. Subpoenas were issued to the airport and Ontario City Hall. No charges have been filed against those searched as of October 22. The City Council removed Wapner from all committee appointments, including the airport board. He dropped his planned mayoral run and is seeking another term on the council, where he has served since 1994.

On September 24, the airport board approved bylaw changes. These rules cap monthly stipends at $1,000. Members are now limited to one domestic conference per year and one international conference every other year. Advance approval is required for all travel. Spouses' travel expenses can no longer be paid by the board. On October 19, the board voted to create an internal auditing program that includes a full-time auditor. Wapner said the board was scapegoating him and that travel was a budget line item members could have questioned.