An Ontario, California, city councilmember is at the center of a dispute with a local family business after the establishment's utilities were cut over a permit disagreement. Siblings Marianne and Andrew Hanouneh, owners of Treasure Banquet Hall, allege that Councilmember Alan Wapner told them he holds "the power in this city" as their venue has remained without electricity for approximately 18 months.
The Hanounehs stated at a city council meeting that they had relied on permits issued by the city and had invested significant family resources in their business. "Then overnight it was gone. The permit we had invested millions of dollars relying on simply disappeared. No due process, no warning, just gone," Marianne Hanouneh said.
When the siblings sought assistance from Wapner, they claim he revealed his involvement in their predicament. "As soon as I named the building, he said, and I quote, ‘I know your building. I know exactly where that is. No need to show photos. I’ve been telling them to shut you down for months,'" Marianne Hanouneh recounted. She further stated that when she asked him to facilitate a meeting with another official, Wapner responded, "No, no, it doesn’t matter. I hold the power in this city."
Federal Investigations and City Council Action
Separately, federal authorities have been examining Wapner, with the FBI reportedly serving search warrants at several Southern California locations, including the councilmember's residence. The exact reasons for these warrants remain unclear, and there is no confirmed evidence linking the utility shutoff at Treasure Banquet Hall to the federal searches.
Marianne Hanouneh also indicated that she has been contacted by both the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office and the FBI.
The Ontario City Council has initiated steps to discipline Wapner, with a vote to consider removing him from his committee assignments. Mayor Paul Leon commented that while he does not know if Wapner is guilty of any wrongdoing, the federal activity has become a "distraction."
Wapner, whose term is set to end in December, has stated at a meeting that he has never been named a suspect, subject, or target of any investigation. "They did search the house. We don’t know what they were searching for or for what," he said.
The Hanounehs continue to face challenges in operating their banquet hall without power, expressing pride in what they built for the community.