Selma Mayor Scott Robertson, center, presides at the Jan. 21, 2025 Selma City Council meeting. He denied wrongdoing in a recently filed criminal charge. (GV Wire/David Taub)
- Selma Mayor Scott Robertson denies allegations he illegally campaigned near voters, calling the misdemeanor electioneering charge filed against him baseless.
- Fresno County prosecutors say prior disputes with Selma officials did not influence their decision to charge Robertson over November election activities.
- Supporters, including Selma Councilmember Sarah Guerra, rallied behind Robertson, calling the charge political harassment and praising his leadership in the community.
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Selma Mayor Scott Robertson says he is innocent of an electioneering charge filed last week by Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp.
Smittcamp filed the charge against Robertson Friday, accusing him of approaching voters in line at a polling place during the Nov. 5, 2024 election.
“While holding a sign advocating for his reelection, Robertson spoke with some of the prospective voters about his campaign,” Smittcamp’s office said.
Robertson denied the allegations in a Friday Facebook post.
“The DA’s office filed one misdemeanor charge against me today. I believe I am completely innocent of the charge,” Robertson said.
He received support in the comments, including from fellow councilmember and sister-in-law Sarah Guerra.
“This is all harassment and retaliation against Mayor Scott Robertson because someone can’t beat him in an election so they keep trying to attack his character. But the citizens know better that’s why you continue to get re-elected. A Mayor for the people and fights for the people of Selma. We stand with you Mayor Robertson!!! Selma Strong,” Guerra wrote.
The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail. Robertson is scheduled to be arraigned June 5.
Prior Tensions Between Selma and the DA’s Office
Although the DA’s office previously clashed with Selma officials, prosecutors insist the new charge is unrelated.
In December 2024, Victor Lai of the DA’s Public Integrity Unit wrote a letter to the city, questioning the legality of seating a new city council. Lai said the city did not follow correct procedures to allow the newly elected council to conduct business.
The city ignored Lai’s advice and moved forward with seating the new council and changing city attorneys.
New City Attorney Neal Costanzo issued a sharp rebuke to Lai on Dec. 17, 2024, accusing him of taking sides despite Lai’s assertion of neutrality.
Costanzo also called Lai’s analysis “plainly contrary to law.”
“The actions taken … were perfectly legitimate; but even if it were not, your office has no jurisdiction whatsoever to offer gratuitous comments about its view of procedures,” Costanzo wrote.
Smittcamp’s office said the previous back-and-forth had nothing to do with the filings against Robertson.
“Any implication that this office’s filing decisions are based on anything other than the evidence and the law is categorically false and inappropriate. We will not entertain or respond to baseless speculation,” spokesperson Taylor Long said.
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