Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee Under Scrutiny for Alleged Misuse of City Funds for Wild N Out Event

 Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee Under Scrutiny for Alleged Misuse of City Funds for Wild N Out Event

Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee, known for his YouTube talk show Gauge with Jason Lee and his role as CEO of Hollywood Unlocked, is at the center of a controversy involving the alleged misuse of $50,000 in city funds. The funds, drawn from Stockton’s Risk Mitigation Fund, were reportedly used to support a Wild N Out comedy show held on May 24, 2025, at Adventist Health Arena, an event in which Lee performed and helped organize.

The issue came to light when Interim City Manager Steve Colangelo discovered that the $50,000 was allocated without his knowledge or approval, prompting an internal investigation. The Risk Mitigation Fund is intended for emergencies and other critical city needs, and Colangelo has raised concerns about whether city policies were bypassed and if Lee’s involvement with event promoters crossed boundaries between policymaking and administration.

Emails obtained through public records requests reveal that the funds were approved by Tina McCarty, Stockton’s Director of Economic Development, to prevent the cancellation of the Wild N Out show due to poor ticket sales. The decision was made to bolster community morale and encourage future events in Stockton, but the lack of oversight has sparked questions.

Lee, who has personal connections with Wild N Out creator Nick Cannon and other performers, has denied any wrongdoing, calling the investigation a politically motivated attack. In social media posts, he stated, “Nick and the Wild N Out team came to Stockton as a favor to me—to turn this city up and prove we deserve world-class partnerships.” He emphasized that the event was a success, drawing 7,700 attendees, and accused critics of targeting city staff unfairly. Lee further alleged that the controversy is part of a broader “inner city attack” against him since Colangelo became interim city manager.

The investigation is ongoing, with Stockton Councilmember Brando Villapudua calling for a forensic review of the event’s funding and Lee’s ties to promoters. There are also indications that the California Attorney General may get involved to examine potential violations of city policies or state laws.

Lee maintains that his efforts were aimed at revitalizing Stockton, stating, “I’m trying to bring life into the city of Stockton.” He has called for transparency and an independent investigation into broader city management practices, alleging retaliation and mismanagement by Colangelo.

As the situation unfolds, the Stockton City Council and residents await the results of the investigation to determine whether the use of the $50,000 was justified or if further action is needed.