FBI seizes documents from Beaumont City Hall
Search warrants were served Wednesday at Beaumont City Hall, where local and federal investigators seized boxes full of documents, computers and other items, apparently in connection with a probe targeting city government.
FBI Spokeswoman Laura Eimiller confirmed to KESQ and CBS Local 2 that a home on the 78-600 block of Sunrise Mountain View in Palm Desert was also searched. According to records searched by KESQ/CBS Local 2 an address on that block is owned by Beaumont City Manager Alan Kapanicas. The FBI also stated that another address in Temecula was also searched.
Investigators from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and the FBI arrived at the Beaumont municipality’s offices Wednesday morning and began hauling away hundreds of boxes, packing them into a trailer.
“I can confirm that search warrants have been served as part of an ongoing investigation,” D.A.’s office spokesman John Hall told City News Service. “Because this is an ongoing investigation, I will have no further comment at this time.”
In addition to the city building at 550 E. Sixth St., investigators also served warrants at the office of the Urban Logic Consultants Group, 871 W. Fourth St., according to Hall. Urban Logic has reportedly done contract work for the city over the last two decades, employing people in key local government positions.
The activity at City Hall lasted several hours before investigators left, and the building, which had been closed, was locked back up. The Beaumont City Council conducted its usual weekly meeting Tuesday evening.
