Did Jason Lee Misappropriate $50,000 Of Stockton Funds For ‘Wild ‘N Out’?
Jason Lee, the Vice Mayor of Stockton, Calif., is clapping at his “haters” after the Stockton city manager’s office launched an internal investigation on Monday (Aug. 4). The office is claiming $50,000 of public funds from the city’s Risk Mitigation Fund were misappropriated for a Wild ‘N Out event without proper approval.
The local FOX affiliate reported that Lee ” facilitated” the misuse of funds, causing city manager, Steve Colangelo to raise “concerns about how Lee engaged with city staff and event promoters.” Colangelo believes “lines between policymaking and administration may have been crossed.” The Wild ‘N Out live event was held in Stockton on May 24.
Lee addressed the accusations on social media.
“A few weeks ago, I got tipped off that there was a conspiracy brewing—claims that I ‘brought Wild ’N Out to Stockton’ and influenced decisions so Nick Cannon, my friends, and I could profit,” he wrote.
Lee continued, “Let’s be clear: Nick and the Wild ’N Out team came to Stockton as a favor to ME—to turn this city up and prove that we deserve world-class partnerships like Nick, Rip Michaels, and 5120 Entertainment. The attacks on our hardworking city staff for simply doing their jobs? Beyond disappointing.”
He allegedly “agendized [the claims] in the Audit Committee… and it was crickets.” Lee added, “Instead, management praised Wild ’N Out for their professionalism, and our community LOVED every moment.”
He praised the “amazing city staff for showing up every day despite the politics” and told his “haters” that “if you can’t outwork me in policy, opportunity, or inspiration, work harder. Because making up lies to do reputational harm won’t work when I’ve got the heart of the people.”
The investigation will determine if the alleged funds were properly authorized, who was involved in the rumored scandal, and if any city policies or procedures were “bypassed.”
