Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Why COVID Is Spreading Again This Summer

6 hours ago

Amid Threats From Trump, Sen. Adam Schiff Forms Legal Defense Fund

10 hours ago

Israel to Place $500 Million, US-Funded Order for Boeing Aerial Refueling Tankers

10 hours ago

Hurricane Erin Threatens North Carolina’s Outer Banks With Storm Surge

11 hours ago

Israel Approves Settlement Plan to ‘Erase’ Idea of Palestinian State

11 hours ago

Tech Stocks Pressure Wall Street as Caution Sets in Ahead of Fed Meet

11 hours ago

Most Americans Believe Countries Should Recognize Palestinian State, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

11 hours ago

Gabbard Revokes Security Clearances of 37 Current, Former US Intelligence Members

1 day ago

Trump Escalates Attacks Against the Smithsonian Institution

1 day ago

California Republicans File Suit Seeking to Block Newsom Redistricting Plan

1 day ago
FBI Probe of Possible Fresno City Hall Corruption Underway
Portrait of GV Wire News Director Bill McEwen
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 4 years ago on
September 17, 2021

Share

The FBI is investigating possible corruption and influence-peddling at Fresno City Hall, and a federal grand jury is hearing testimony from witnesses, GV Wire has learned.

Four sources who asked to remain anonymous told GV Wire about the investigation. The sources became aware of the probe in different ways: being interviewed by FBI agents, testifying before the grand jury, viewing federal subpoenas for City Hall documents, or being retained as a defense attorney.

However, it’s not clear at this time who at City Hall is being investigated.

On Wednesday, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento, said that she “cannot confirm or deny an investigation into Fresno City Hall.”

The fact that an investigation is taking place doesn’t necessarily mean that criminal indictments will follow.

For example, in 2019, the FBI ended a nearly four-year probe into Fresno Unified School District’s use of lease-leaseback construction contracts without charges filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

In contrast, the six-year Operation Rezone investigation into public corruption in Fresno and Clovis involving residential development wrapped up in 2000 with 17 convictions for crimes such as conspiracy, mail fraud, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, and bankruptcy and tax fraud.

FBI Sought Documents Involving Granite Park, PPE, Land Deal

A source who has seen subpoenas in the FBI’s current investigation said the agency sought documents involving a nonprofit that leases city-owned Granite Park, the city’s purchase of personal protective equipment to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and a land deal.

“After the city released its audit on Granite Park’s finances in 2018, the federal investigation began,” the source said. “It’s expanded considerably since then.”

Word of the federal inquiry follows allegations of wrongdoing by Fresno City Council members made to the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office earlier this year.

In June, District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp informed top city officials that she was investigating allegations that councilmembers violated the state’s open meeting law by secretly discussing a proposed $4.3 million settlement of a federal lawsuit brought by Terance Frazier against the city stemming from the Granite Park audit.

“We became aware today that the (proposed settlement) was on the agenda for tomorrow,” Smittcamp wrote in a June 23 letter. “So we just advised the city attorney and all the councilmembers that it would be our request that they hold off on voting on anything until we have proper time to do that investigation.”

Frazier is president of the nonprofit Central Valley Community Sports Foundation, which leases the park from the city.

At the time of the audit, prominent Fresno businessman TJ Cox was also involved in the sports foundation. He left the organization after being elected in 2018 to Congress, a position he lost in the 2020 election.

Asked about the status of the DA’s probe, Assistant District Attorney Jerry Stanley declined to comment on Friday, saying the investigation was ongoing.

Frazier Alleges City Release of Audit Was ‘Discriminatory’

The city hasn’t settled Frazier’s lawsuit, and the next scheduled court date for the suit is Oct. 5.

His lawsuit alleges that the city’s audit was faulty, as well as “defamatory” and “discriminatory,” and should have never been publicly released.

“This is an unfortunate incident that falls under the category of no good deed goes unpunished,” attorney Kevin Little said at the time, speaking on Frazier’s behalf. “The city, on the other hand, at every turn tried to undermine Mr. Frazier’s efforts.”

Earlier this year, Frazier called the release of the audit a “political hit job.” He also said that Smittcamp’s letter to the council was “a purely political move” — a contention that the DA denied.

Frazier declined to comment to GV Wire on Friday about the FBI investigation.

The audit was released by City Hall while Lee Brand was mayor. City Attorney Douglas Sloan later told the City Council that the nonprofit sports foundation was complying with its lease.

Developer Accuses City Councilman of ‘Pay to Play’

Fresno developer Cliff Tutelian filed a claim against the city on July 30, alleging that City Councilman Miguel Arias engaged in a “pay to play” scheme connected to a project proposed by Tutelian at the north end of the Fulton Mall.

Arias vehemently denied Tutelian’s accusations in a statement to GV Wire on Monday, calling them “baseless allegations to try and get his way” on the stalled project.

Tutelian sought damages in excess of $12.45 million in his claim. The city rejected the claim on Monday, which opens the door for Tutelian to sue the city.

“Our intention is to proceed and do so in the manner that allows the judicial system to take it from here,” Tutelian said Friday.” We’re appreciative of the relationships that we do have at City Hall and I’m hopeful there will be a conclusion that allows for downtown progress to move forward.”

(GV Wire’s David Taub contributed to this story.) 

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

International Rapper Derrick ‘Aesop’ McElroy Who Called Fresno Home Dies at 51

DON'T MISS

Trump Administration to Vet Immigration Applications for ‘Anti-Americanism’

DON'T MISS

Texas Republicans Approve Trump-Backed Congressional Map to Protect Party’s Majority

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Authorities Seek Suspect in Casino Assault

DON'T MISS

Poll: California Dems Favor Newsom Over Harris in 2028 Matchup

DON'T MISS

‘Moral Conflict’ Drives Dem Doubts About Newsom’s Redistricting Plan

DON'T MISS

Fresno Animal Center at Critical Capacity After Receiving Over 100 Dogs

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Arrest Two SoCal Men in Homicide Investigation

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Investigating Fatal Stabbing of 31-Year-Old Man

DON'T MISS

Tulare County Sheriff Adds Goshen Teen to Most Wanted List

UP NEXT

Trump Administration to Vet Immigration Applications for ‘Anti-Americanism’

UP NEXT

Texas Republicans Approve Trump-Backed Congressional Map to Protect Party’s Majority

UP NEXT

Fresno County Authorities Seek Suspect in Casino Assault

UP NEXT

Poll: California Dems Favor Newsom Over Harris in 2028 Matchup

UP NEXT

‘Moral Conflict’ Drives Dem Doubts About Newsom’s Redistricting Plan

UP NEXT

Fresno Animal Center at Critical Capacity After Receiving Over 100 Dogs

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Investigating Fatal Stabbing of 31-Year-Old Man

UP NEXT

Lemoore Union Elementary Reaches Settlement Over Disability Discrimination Allegations

UP NEXT

Wired Wednesday: Why Is Pismo’s Manager in ICE Detention?

UP NEXT

Visalia Police to Hold DUI Checkpoint on Friday

Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

Fresno County Authorities Seek Suspect in Casino Assault

3 hours ago

Poll: California Dems Favor Newsom Over Harris in 2028 Matchup

3 hours ago

‘Moral Conflict’ Drives Dem Doubts About Newsom’s Redistricting Plan

4 hours ago

Fresno Animal Center at Critical Capacity After Receiving Over 100 Dogs

4 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Two SoCal Men in Homicide Investigation

5 hours ago

Fresno Police Investigating Fatal Stabbing of 31-Year-Old Man

5 hours ago

Tulare County Sheriff Adds Goshen Teen to Most Wanted List

6 hours ago

Lemoore Union Elementary Reaches Settlement Over Disability Discrimination Allegations

6 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: Why Is Pismo’s Manager in ICE Detention?

6 hours ago

Why COVID Is Spreading Again This Summer

6 hours ago

International Rapper Derrick ‘Aesop’ McElroy Who Called Fresno Home Dies at 51

When he wasn’t touring Asia, Europe, or across the U.S., Derrick “Aesop” McElroy was busy making a name for himself and fo...

2 hours ago

Derrick 'Aesop' McElroy
2 hours ago

International Rapper Derrick ‘Aesop’ McElroy Who Called Fresno Home Dies at 51

A U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalization ceremony in New York City, U.S., September 17, 2021. (Reuters File)
3 hours ago

Trump Administration to Vet Immigration Applications for ‘Anti-Americanism’

State Representative Matt Morgan (R-TX) holds a map of the new proposed congressional districts in Texas, during a legislative session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, U.S. August 20, 2025. (Reuters/Sergio Flores)
3 hours ago

Texas Republicans Approve Trump-Backed Congressional Map to Protect Party’s Majority

Fresno County authorities are searching for Robert Rios, 27, of Auberry, wanted for assault, burglary and drug possession following a June 6 domestic disturbance at Mono Wind Casino. (Fresno County SO)
3 hours ago

Fresno County Authorities Seek Suspect in Casino Assault

3 hours ago

Poll: California Dems Favor Newsom Over Harris in 2028 Matchup

Gov. Gavin Newsom at Election Rigging Response News Conference
4 hours ago

‘Moral Conflict’ Drives Dem Doubts About Newsom’s Redistricting Plan

The Fresno Animal Center is over capacity after taking in more than 100 animals in recent days, leaving dozens of dogs at risk of euthanasia unless the community steps up to adopt or foster, officials said. (Shutterstock)
4 hours ago

Fresno Animal Center at Critical Capacity After Receiving Over 100 Dogs

Fresno police arrested Krishan Kumar (left), 24, and Vishal Vishal, 31, in connection with the July 21 shooting death of Kuvar Kumar. (Fresno PD)
5 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Two SoCal Men in Homicide Investigation

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend