Ontario Airport Board Sets Travel Cap After Member Billed $184,997

The Ontario International Airport Authority has capped member travel costs after one official billed the agency $184,997 for 72 trips between March 2021 and June 2026. Records released under the California Public Records Act show Alan Wapner, who recently left the board, spent nearly $185,000 on airfare and lodging during his tenure. This amount is 64 times higher than the total travel reimbursement paid to the other four board members combined over the same five-year period.

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

The board acted to change its rules in response to the spending. On September 24, members approved bylaw changes that limit each commissioner to one domestic conference per year and one international conference every other year. All trips now require advance approval, and spouses can no longer be reimbursed for travel. The board also set a monthly stipend cap at $1,000. On October 19, the board voted to create an internal auditing program that will include a full-time auditor.

Wapner defended the expenses in an email, stating that his travel was necessary for him to be effective in his position. He claimed the trips provided access to airline executives, concession operators, and federal officials. Board president Ron Loveridge said the spending met the authority's rules at the time. He noted that the money came from airport revenue rather than tax dollars and that other members were unaware of the frequency or cumulative cost because Wapner did not report back to the full board.

The travel audit coincides with a federal investigation. 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 tied to businessman James Su. Subpoenas were sent 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 has dropped his planned mayoral run and is seeking another term on the council, where he has served since 1994.

Wapner reported 132 trips across five agencies where he held seats, totaling $283,630 in expenses. The City of Ontario paid him $62,855, while Omnitrans paid $17,578. The Southern California Association of Governments paid $12,574, and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority paid $5,625. Wapner also earned about $250,000 in meeting stipends from the airport authority over the past decade, nearly double the amount paid to Hagman.

Catherine Lhamon, a researcher at UC Berkeley's Edley Center on Law and Democracy, described the situation as personal profit from public service. She called for clear rules and public scrutiny of officials. Wapner said the board was scapegoating him and argued that travel was a budget line item that members could have questioned.