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Former Fresno Police Chief Balderrama Makes His Next Career Move
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 8 mins ago on
August 9, 2024

Paco Balderrama speaks with the media on June 12, 2024, hours before the city placed him on paid leave. He resigned two weeks later. (GV Wire/David Taub)

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Former Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama has formed a consulting company.

One day before his official last day with Fresno, Balderrama filed papers with the California Secretary of State to create El Matador Consulting LLC, on July 24. He listed his Tesoro Viejo address in Madera County for the business location.

He also listed his position on his LinkedIn page.

Balderrama did not explain what exactly El Matador Consulting will do. He did not return GV Wire requests for comment.

Balderrama resigned in controversy as police chief on June 24, after it was revealed he had an affair with the wife of Jordan Wamhoff, an officer under his command. Wamhoff is also an elected member of the Madera County Board of Supervisors.

The city started its investigation into Balderrama in February after Wamhoff filed a complaint with the city. Several media agencies began reporting about the incident in June.

After presenting budget information to the Fresno City Council on June 12, Balderrama held a bizarre and impromptu media scrum. He vowed to stay on the job, and became defiant when answering questions.

Hours later, the city placed Balderrama on paid leave.

The city appointed Deputy Chief Mindy Casto as acting chief, then interim chief when Balderrama stepped down as chief. Balderrama stayed with the city 30 more days, listed as a consultant.

Update on Chief Search

The permanent chief’s job wasn’t posted on the city’s website as of Friday morning.

City spokesperson Sontaya Rose said seven consulting firms responded to the city’s request for proposal by the Aug. 2 deadline.

“We are narrowing the search and anticipate awarding a contract in the next couple of weeks,” Rose said. “A community survey component will be part of the ‘scope of work’ for the firm. Mayor (Jerry) Dyer and City Manager (Georgeanne) White have also been conducting one-on-one interviews with community leaders to determine what attributes and traits they would like to see in the next police chief, how the community can best be utilized in the process, etc.”

Rose did not identify the community members that Dyer and White spoke with.

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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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