According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, (ITEP) 55 of the largest corporations in America have not paid federal corporate income taxes as they continue to expand their land by acres. Large companies including Disney, Amazon, Nike, and FedEx were reported to have avoided paying federal taxes. This drained money from the government as taxes from citizens increased. 

The controversy involves the $1.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds which were used for “influence peddling” (pulling connections for personal benefits) by the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce (virtually as a money laundering operation.”) According to the investigation of the 353-page report by the JL group, it was revealed that former Mayor Harry Sidhu utilized the funds wrongfully. 

After the City Council approved Sidhu’s plan to support a nonprofit organization, “Visit Anaheim,” $1.5 million out of $6.5 million was diverted to the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce by the president and CEO, Todd Ament. From there, it was announced that the $1.5 million was not listed in their tax returns filed in December 2022, indicating that Mayer Sidhu’s actions were unlawful. 

While the money was wielded improperly, workers of big corporations including Disneyland stated their incapability to make enough for basic necessities. From the survey taken by the nonprofit, “Economic Roundtable,” nearly 70% of the Disneyland workers had a lack of food. Adding onto that, more than one in 10 claimed to have been struggling without a place to sleep. 

Workers and residents who work to sustain a living environment will now have the opportunity to raise their voices and act on this matter.