FBI searches have put new attention on two San Bernardino County land arrangements involving companies managed by attorney Frank Lizarraga. But sealed warrant materials do not show that either deal is under federal investigation, and the searches do not establish wrongdoing. On July 28, 2026, agents searched properties connected to Lizarraga, Supervisor Curt Hagman, Ontario Councilmember Alan Wapner, and EDI Media's James Su. The Los Angeles Times reported that federal officials disclosed no targets or investigative purpose and announced no arrests.
Table of Contents
- What do the FBI searches establish?
- Why is the El Prado golf-course deal drawing attention?
- What financial protections are in the extension?
- What happened with the separate Sultana lease?
- Which records matter next?
What do the FBI searches establish?
The searches establish that federal agents obtained judicial authorization to search connected properties. Because the warrant affidavits remain sealed, the public does not know what evidence agents sought or whose conduct they were examining. That uncertainty matters.
A search warrant is not a criminal charge, and the reported searches do not connect the investigation to either county land agreement involving Lizarraga-managed companies. The County records still deserve scrutiny on their own terms. They document an exception to competitive leasing, a long extension, substantial projected payments, and a separate arrangement for collecting overdue rent.
Why is the El Prado golf-course deal drawing attention?
County records identify Lizarraga as managing member of El Prado Development LLC. In 2023, that company became successor tenant for the 314.21-acre, 36-hole El Prado Golf Course sublease in Chino. A sublease means the County is not the underlying landowner. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers owns the property, leases it to the County, and must consent to certain changes.
In February 2025, the board authorized direct negotiations with El Prado instead of seeking competing proposals. The County's agenda report said keeping the existing operator would provide uninterrupted outdoor recreation. County policy otherwise favors competitive leasing unless the Board approves an exception. On April 29, 2025, the Board approved the negotiated extension by a 4–1 vote, with Supervisor Paul Cook dissenting. The recorded action extended the term through August 31, 2047, subject to Army Corps approval.
What financial protections are in the extension?
The El Prado amendment sets a minimum fee of $11,000 per month. that minimum increases 4% annually after the first 12 months, and the County projected $4.83 million in additional minimum payments. Those figures provide a baseline for evaluating the agreement, but they do not show whether competition might have produced a higher offer.
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That is the central limitation of a directly negotiated lease: the public can review the approved terms but cannot compare them with bids that were never requested. The amendment also requires County and Army Corps consent for improvements. The extension depends on written Army Corps approval, so that approval is a key document for determining whether the longer term became effective as planned.
What happened with the separate Sultana lease?
Lizarraga is also listed as managing member of Sultana Properties LLC, which leases 9.21 acres of County land in Chino. The property is used for livestock sales, grazing, and agricultural-equipment storage. In December 2024, the Board amended the lease to recover $38,584 in arrears over its remaining term.
That amount consisted of $22,443 in missed rent and $16,141 in interest and fees, according to the County's Sultana Properties agenda record. The revised base rent was $1,658 per month, which the County described as being in the low range for comparable Chino land. The amendment projected $193,408 in total revenue, including the arrears. It restructured collection of the debt; the documented approval does not, by itself, show that the full balance has since been paid.
Which records matter next?
Residents can evaluate these agreements without assuming that the FBI searches prove misconduct. The most useful questions concern whether the approved conditions were satisfied and whether public money was collected as promised. Relevant follow-up checks include: The company names should remain separate when reviewing records: El Prado Development operates under the golf-course sublease, while Sultana Properties holds the smaller agricultural-use lease.
- Whether the Army Corps provided written approval for the El Prado extension.
- Whether El Prado has paid the $11,000 monthly minimum and each required annual increase.
- Whether approved improvements received both County and Army Corps consent.
- Whether Sultana is making its scheduled arrears payments in addition to current rent.
- Whether later Board records explain the dissenting vote or modify either agreement.