Blogger-turned politician Jason Lee is accused of misusing $50,000 in public city funds to cover expenses for a “Wild ‘N Out” event.
Jason Lee Johnson, a podcaster and founder of the Hollywood Unlocked blog, hosts the star-studded Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards show annually.
The Stockton city manager’s office announced an internal investigation on Monday, Aug. 4, after $50,000 went missing from the city’s Risk Mitigation Fund.
The investigation determined that the money was improperly used for an event presented by Vice Mayor Jason Lee.
According to the city manager, Steve Colangelo, Lee misused $50,000 without the city’s approval. Colangelo claims he never signed off on the funds.
Lee (pictured with Wendy Williams in 2019) says the money was used to boost community morale and attract future events to the city. But critics say Lee used the money for self-promotion.
“Let’s be clear, Nick and the Wild ‘N Out team came to Stockton as a favor to ME,” Lee said on social media. “The attacks on our hardworking city staff for simply doing their jobs? Beyond disappointing.”
Wild ‘N Out is a sketch comedy and battle rap game show created and hosted by Nick Cannon.
Lee is among a group of well-known social media influencers labeled as “scammers” and “grifters,” including Tariq Nasheed, Dr. Umar Johnson, and Shaun King.
