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Fresno Investigation into Police Chief Balderrama Is Finished: Sources
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 1 year ago on
June 24, 2024

The city of Fresno has completed its investigation into Police Chief Paco Balderrama, sources tell GV Wire. (GV Wire File)

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Update: 11:20 a.m., Tuesday, June 25:

Fresno City Manger Georgeanne White said at a Tuesday morning news conference that Police Chief Paco Balderrama has resigned.

Mayor Jerry Dyer praised Balderrama for his accomplishments in Fresno while also saying that the chief’s resignation was in the best interests of the city and the police department.

The city will conduct a national search for Balderrama’s successor, Dyer and White said.

Until that hire is made, Deputy Chief Mindy Casto will continue as interim chief, Dyer said.

The mayor also said that there’s no reason why Balderrama couldn’t serve as a police chief of another city “and I expect him to do so.”

Original Story

The city of Fresno has completed its investigation into Police Chief Paco Balderrama, multiple sources tell GV Wire.

Now, any decision about whether Balderrama soon returns to work, is disciplined, or let go is in the hands of City Manager Georgeanne White.

The city placed Balderrama on paid leave June 12, after reports of an inappropriate relationship surfaced. White subsequently named Deputy Chief Mindy Casto as acting chief.

While the city has characterized it as an “off-duty relationship he was involved in with a non-city employee,” GV Wire has learned that Balderrama allegedly carried on an affair for more than two years with the wife of a police officer under his command, Jordan Wamhoff.

Multiple sources told GV Wire that Wamhoff’s attorney is negotiating with the city for a resolution. Wamhoff is an elected member of the Madera County Board of Supervisors and a former vice president of the Fresno Police Officers Association.

No Government Code claim has been filed with the city, the first step for a potential lawsuit. The city became aware of the alleged affair in February. The law sets a six-month time limit to file a claim.

A source with knowledge of the situation but not authorized to speak publicly told GV Wire that Wamhoff had asked for a different role in the department which would not require him to work weekends and thus enable him to spend more time with his family.

Balderrama allegedly went back on his word to grant the move, to carry on the extramarital affair.

The city hasn’t issued any statements or updates on Balderrama’s situation. The police chief did not respond to a GV Wire request for comment.

Policy Violations?

The City Attorney’s Office handled the Balderrama probe, using an outside investigator. City Attorney Andrew Janz has declined to name the investigator. In addition, there hasn’t been an  internal affairs report on Balderrama’s alleged affair, a police source told GV Wire.

The city’s 734-page policy manual does not directly forbid affairs with another officer’s wife. However, there are several sections dealing with morals and ethics.

For example, the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, found at the beginning of the manual, says “I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all.” It also says personal feelings, prejudices or animosities will not influence decisions.

Section 341.2.5 (ac) regarding performance standards and conduct which may result in discipline reads: “any other on-duty or -of-duty conduct which any member knows or reasonably should know is unbecoming a member of the Department or which is contrary to good order, efficiency or morale, or which tends to reflect unfavorable upon the Department or its members.”

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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

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