Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

2 days ago

Trump Says He’s Willing to Let Migrant Farm Laborers Stay in US

2 days ago

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

3 days ago

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

3 days ago

Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Wins Congressional Approval

3 days ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

3 days ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

3 days ago

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

3 days ago

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

3 days ago
Councilman Esparza's Legal Issues Cost Taxpayers at Least $113,000
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 2 years ago on
April 17, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Taxpayers have paid more than $113,000 in legal expenses related to an attempted extortion charge that was later dropped against Fresno City Councilman Nelson Esparza.

Esparza fought and won in court after the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office dropped the case last December at a pre-trial hearing.

But the question of who covered Esparza’s six-figure legal expenses has always been shrouded in mystery. The Fresno City Council never held an open meeting discussion or vote about the matter.

Last year, GV Wire uncovered that votes, or “direction” was given in closed session, that was never publicly divulged, to cover Esparza’s legal expenses — as well as those of councilman Garry Bredefeld.

While items such as legal matters are allowed to be discussed in closed session, any votes or decisions to spend money should be publicly unveiled, legal experts said. Even advice given to the city council to reveal the votes went unheeded.

Most current councilmembers declined to comment on how or why they covered the costs.

“I’m just glad it’s over,” Councilman Mike Karbassi said.

GV Wire analyzed public records provided by the city, and overall costs provided by the City Attorney’s Office. The costs came from three main areas: Esparza’s criminal defense, attorney fees a judge ruled that Esparza owed Bredefeld’s attorneys, and a third-party attorney’s fees to advise the city council.

Criminal Costs: More Than $68,000

The criminal investigation was based on an April 22 private conversation between Esparza, then the city council president, and then-City Attorney Douglas Sloan.

In the criminal complaint, Esparza allegedly told Sloan to comply with the wishes of the council majority or risk losing his job.

Sloan felt that Esparza was threatening his job if he did not comply with Esparza and a majority of left-leaning councilmembers. Esparza contended that he never made such threats and that Sloan misinterpreted the conversation.

Smittcamp’s office charged Esparza in July 2022 with one felony attempted extortion count and a misdemeanor for violating the city charter. A judge later reduced the felony to a misdemeanor.

The city council agreed to cover Esparza’s criminal defense, handled by a third party. Prominent defense attorney Mark Coleman defended Esparza. The contract would pay Coleman $350 an hour, and his associates $250 an hour.

Coleman partnered with Margarita Martinez Baly and Scott Quinlan. The final invoice came to $68,174, the City Attorney’s Office said.

Charges Dropped

Prosecutor Victor Lai, head of the DA’s public integrity unit, agreed to drop charges after Esparza publicly told his side of the story at a preliminary hearing.

Esparza told the judge the conversation with Sloan was about concerns some councilmembers were using the city attorney to investigate others — “weaponizing” the office. The city council passed a resolution that any investigation into one of their own would require council consent.

“I did, in fact, imply to Mr. Sloan that if this happens and that the new resolution was not followed, that I would vote to terminate him. I never directed him not to comply with his legal and ethical obligations. I wish that he would have come to me to clarify before these allegations became public. This entire situation could have been avoided.,” Esparza said in court.

District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, in media interviews after the court hearing, said that she wished Esparza would have come forward with his statement sooner.

City Covers $25,000 Payment to Bredefeld’s Attorneys

After Bredefeld learned about the conversation between Esparza and Sloan, he held a May 13 news conference at City Hall and accused Esparza of extortion.

Three days later, Esparza filed a civil defamation lawsuit against Bredefeld, arguing the extortion claims were lies.

Bredefeld filed an anti-SLAPP motion, that in essence asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit because it infringed on free speech rights. Esparza dropped the lawsuit before there was even a hearing.

However, the consequence of an anti-SLAPP motion is the plaintiff has to cover the defense’s legal costs if successful. Bredefeld’s legal team won a ruling that even with the lawsuit dismissed, the anti-SLAPP legal costs provisions applied.

The city council agreed to cover Bredefeld’s legal costs, primarily because his news conference was in a councilmember’s scope and duties.

The city paid Bredefeld’s attorney, Walt Whalen, $25,101. Bredefeld went back to court to force Esparza to personally reimburse the city. The court ruled against that effort, essentially saying it didn’t care who paid Bredefeld’s attorneys, as long as payment was made.

[This story has been updated to clarify that Bredefeld sought Esparza to reimburse the city.]

Legal Advice: at Least $20,000

Because the City Attorney’s Office was directly involved in the Esparza and Bredefeld legal sagas, it had to recuse itself from the matters.

An outside firm, Lozano Smith, guided the city during several closed session items on the issues. Esparza and Bredefeld also recused themselves from participating in those discussions.

The City Attorney’s Office says Lozano Smith billed $20,153 for legal advice related to Bredefeld and Esparza.

James Sanchez, a one-time Fresno City Attorney, provided the bulk of the Lozano Smith advice.

The total for outside legal counsel could be higher. These numbers do not reflect a second firm hired by the city, Meyers Nave.

 

RELATED TOPICS:

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

How Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Make China Great Again

DON'T MISS

What’s Caitlin Clark Worth to the WNBA? A Lot More Than Her $78,066 Salary.

DON'T MISS

Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony

DON'T MISS

Madre Fire Spurs Evacuations Across 3 Counties, Grows to More Than 70,000 Acres

DON'T MISS

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

DON'T MISS

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

DON'T MISS

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man

DON'T MISS

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

DON'T MISS

Israeli Military Kills 20 in Gaza as Trump Awaits Hamas Reply to Truce Proposal

UP NEXT

What’s Caitlin Clark Worth to the WNBA? A Lot More Than Her $78,066 Salary.

UP NEXT

Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony

UP NEXT

Madre Fire Spurs Evacuations Across 3 Counties, Grows to More Than 70,000 Acres

UP NEXT

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

UP NEXT

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

UP NEXT

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

UP NEXT

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man

UP NEXT

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

UP NEXT

Israeli Military Kills 20 in Gaza as Trump Awaits Hamas Reply to Truce Proposal

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Rachelle Maria Blanco

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to Nearly 80,000 Acres, 30% Contained

4 hours ago

Musk Announces Forming of ‘America Party’ in Further Break From Trump

4 hours ago

Death Toll From Texas Floods Reaches 59, Including 21 Children

4 hours ago

California’s Politics Drifts Right While New York’s Leans Left

4 hours ago

How Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Make China Great Again

1 day ago

What’s Caitlin Clark Worth to the WNBA? A Lot More Than Her $78,066 Salary.

1 day ago

Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony

2 days ago

Madre Fire Spurs Evacuations Across 3 Counties, Grows to More Than 70,000 Acres

2 days ago

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

2 days ago

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

2 days ago

Fresno DUI Driver Slams Into CHP Motorcycle, Tow Truck on Highway 99

A suspected DUI driver crashed into a parked California Highway Patrol motorcycle and tow truck along Highway 99 near North Avenue, missing ...

3 hours ago

A 22-year-old suspected DUI driver crashed into a parked CHP motorcycle and tow truck on Highway 99 near Fresno, narrowly missing an officer and bystanders, CHP said Saturday, July 5, 2025. (CHP)
3 hours ago

Fresno DUI Driver Slams Into CHP Motorcycle, Tow Truck on Highway 99

A service member of a drone unit of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo of the Ukrainian Armed Forces controls a heavy combat drone while it flies over positions of Russian troops, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk Region, Ukraine June 12, 2025. (Reuters File)
4 hours ago

Russia Downs 120 Ukrainian Drones Overnight, Defense Ministry Says

An Israeli tank maneuvers in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, July 6, 2025. (Reuters/Amir Cohen)
4 hours ago

Israel Sends Delegation to Qatar for Gaza Talks Ahead of Netanyahu Trip to US

The Madre Fire near New Cuyama has burned nearly 80,000 acres as of Sunday, July 6, 2025, morning, prompting widespread evacuation orders and warnings across three counties. (CalFire)
4 hours ago

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to Nearly 80,000 Acres, 30% Contained

Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk gets in a Tesla car as he leaves a hotel in Beijing, China May 31, 2023. (Reuters File)
4 hours ago

Musk Announces Forming of ‘America Party’ in Further Break From Trump

A search dog operates at Camp Mystic after deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, U.S., July 5, 2025. (Reuters/Sergio Flores)
4 hours ago

Death Toll From Texas Floods Reaches 59, Including 21 Children

2024 Democratic National Convention
4 hours ago

California’s Politics Drifts Right While New York’s Leans Left

Solar Farm in Riesel, Texas
1 day ago

How Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Make China Great Again

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

Search

Send this to a friend