Fresno City Council President Nelson Esparza appeared in court Tuesday morning in response to two criminal counts accusing him of attempting to extort the then city attorney.
Esparza did not enter a plea. Instead, Judge Jon Kapetan granted Esparza’s request to continue the arraignment until Oct. 27.
The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office accuses Esparza of threatening then-city attorney Douglas Sloan during a conversation in April. Esparza allegedly told Sloan that his job would be on the line if he provided legal guidance to certain City Council members.
Outside the courtroom, Esparza’s attorney, Mark Coleman, discussed the status of the case with reporters.
