THE “GANGS” OF DISNEYLAND
Big Trouble in the Happiest Place on Earth
Anaheim, CA – Feb. 15, 2018: The White Rabbits Social Club (TWRSC) condemns a lawsuit that accuses the Disneyland Social Club of “gang-like” activity; declaring that the lawsuit was in retaliation for whistleblowing against the plaintiff.
Disneyland Social Clubs first appeared on the scene in 2013 as a gathering of friends and family who share a love and passion for the Disneyland Resort. Clad in matching denim vests with visible patches, these Disneyland Social Clubs have built a strong community within their individual clubs. However, a recent lawsuit filed to the Orange County Superior Court of California, John and Leslie Sarno, co-founders of the Main Street Fire Station 55 Social Club, allege that Jakob Fite and other members of The White Rabbit Social Club (TWRSC) approached John Sarno on Disney property and “demanded that [Sarno] pay [TWRSC] protection money in the sum of $500.” Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges a HIPPA violation by Kaiser for disclosing medical information, and sites Disneyland’s inaction has caused the Sarnos’ emotional distress as they cannot “access the park without fear of assault.”
TWRSC, which is one of the largest social clubs at Disneyland, have members that range between the ages of 0 to 60. Many of the young members were born into the club, with long time members who met their partners through the club, married, and have since started a family. “It’s a very special dynamic that all of the [Disneyland] Social Clubs have,” says Jakob Fite, the founder of TWRSC. “Our club has become an auxiliary family to each of us.”
In late August of 2016, Sarno’s character came into question when a Club member approached Fite about a series of text messages that her 12-year-old daughter was receiving from Sarno.[1] The messages that began on February 16th of 2016 and continued until April 3rd of the same year, were mostly initiated by Sarno in which he would ask whether the 12-year-old would be at the park, and insisting that he needed his “bodyguard to be there” with him. On April 3rd, the mother of the 12-year-old confronted Sarno, and abruptly ended the conversation.
Upon further investigation by Radio Underland, a weekly podcast and media show hosted by Fite and several TWRSC members, the show began to uncover more moral and ethical questions about Sarno’s character, including false claims and statements:
- His claim to be a fire fighter with the Sacramento Fire Department,[2] which has been unsubstantiated through employment inquiries with the Sacramento Fire Department[3][4];
- His claim that Main Street Fire Station 55 Social Club was a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, which raised funds for young burn victims in Northern California.[5] To date, no record of his non-profit has been obtained.
The Radio Underland show, which aired on September 13, 2016, raised questions about his credibility and character. The White Rabbits Social Club stand by their statement that the lawsuit filed by John and Leslie Sarno was in retaliation for whistleblowing about John Sarno’s unethical fundraising and questionable moral behavior.
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The White Rabbits Social Club was established in 2014 by a group of professionals who were regular Annual Passholders at the Disneyland Resort. Since then, the group has grown to be the largest and most diverse social club at Disneyland whose mission is to build an inclusive community of Disney loving nerds at the Happiest Place in Earth. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Jakob Fite at radiounderland8@gmail.com or (951) 334-4176.
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