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)
- Former Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama formed a new consulting company.
- Balderrama resigned in controversy in June.
- Balderrama lists his home address in Madera County for El Matador Consulting LLC.
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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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