Business advocate and Fresno City Council candidate AJ Rassamni says the city is investigating him, and it could be related to allegations made a by sitting Fresno city councilmember.

This week, Rassamni — president of the Blackstone Merchants Association and District 7 City Council candidate for 2026 — emailed the city about homelessness. Rassamni has worked on the issue for years.

In a reply, Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias claimed Rassamni was using his advocacy to shake down other Blackstone Avenue businesses into supporting his campaign or else.

Rassamni “absolutely” denied all charges.

“All the members of the Blackstone Merchants Association — they trust me more than they trust calling the city,” Rassamni told GV Wire. “It’s not built on coercion. It’s built on cooperation.”

Arias did not answer GV Wire’s request for comment.

Email Between Rassmani, City, Arias

As president of the association, Rassamni has spoken at City Hall about homelessness along the Blackstone Avenue business corridor. On July 22, Rassamni sent an email to all seven councilmembers, Mayor Jerry Dyer, and City Manager Georgeanne White.

Rassamni wrote that while he supports city efforts to clean up the homeless problem, he does not support offering services on private property. That would encourage the homeless to remain, he wrote.

Arias wrote back the following day — replying to all and adding City Attorney Andrew Janz.

“Consider this my latest and final request not to include me in communications that pose the risk of a Brown Act violation or may suggest that the city is communicating with the smoke shop industry outside of the proper legal process,” Arias wrote.

The Brown Act is the state’s open meeting law. Rassamni also has worked with the California Smoke Shop Association — a group of tobacco dealers in litigation with the city over a new ordinance — but he says he no longer represents the group. He said he supported regulations, and advised against a lawsuit.

A federal judge will hear the association’s request for an injunction against regulations on Sept. 8.

The email from Rassamni did not mention the smoke shop lawsuit.

Arias’ Allegations

In an email to City Hall leaders, Arias claimed that he received “numerous complaints” from Blackstone property owners and tenants.

The allegations include soliciting campaign contributions “while claiming that our ‘code enforcement’ officer assigned to that area reports to you, and failure to support your council race would result in code enforcement action.”

Other claims include that businesses had to go through Rassamni for city grants for façade improvements; his claim of city “authority” to shut down businesses; power to shut down city shelters; and the ability for code enforcement to waive fines if they hire Rassamni.

“These allegations are serious and warrant that city staff and our resources follow city policies and regulations, and not be directed or perceived as being produced by any private business interest,” Arias wrote.

Arias has a recent history of making public claims that never panned out. In June, he said from the dais during a council meeting that ICE would raid a local swap meet. That never happened, and Arias has dodged several local media outlets explaining where he got his information.

Rassamni said it is possible that Arias’ allegations are the source of any investigation.

“I assume that this is it. I don’t know of anything else, but I assume that those are the issues,” Rassamni said. “I think you know the history of Arias. He likes to create some political things, same as Cherry (Avenue) swap meet. It’s the same thing. That’s what he’s good at.”

Arias ended his reply, needling Rassamni about a car wash he once owned, which closed after a 2021 fire.

“In closing, as a property owner with a burned-down commercial building on the Blackstone corridor, it is my hope you will soon make improvements to your own property,” Arias wrote.

Rassamni Says He Is Under Investigation

Rassamni said he works with a specific code enforcement agent, but that communication has recently been cut off. He asked Fresno City Councilmember Nelson Esparza for help to find out why.

“My request to resume regular operations was denied, unfortunately. There’s some issue, I guess, with some pretty serious allegations that have been made, but I’m not privy to what all those might be or who they are directed at. I have to let the attorneys do their work and can’t interfere with whatever they may have going on. Sorry I don’t have more information,” Esparza said, in a July 17 text shared by Rassamni.

Rassamni said he also spoke with Nicole DeMera, chief of staff for City Councilmember Nick Richardson. According to Rassamni, DeMara spoke with Janz, who told her that Rassamni was under investigation, but could not say more.

Neither Esparza nor DeMera were available for comment. Janz would not confirm or deny an investigation, or complaints made about Rassamni.

“We take a look at all allegations seriously,” Janz said.

Rassamni said he has not been contacted by Janz’s office.

Richardson said he is unaware of an investigation into the allegations about Rassamni made by Arias.

“Nothing has come through any official channel,” Richardson said.

What Merchants Say About Rassamni

Rassamni registered as a city lobbyist in January, and again this week after his registration expired in April.

Mon Som Lee, owner of the Boston Market on Blackstone and Bullard avenues, said Rassamni never shook him down.

“I never heard that he promised anything to anybody, but how can he issue fines, because he’s not City Hall or anything,” Lee said.

Lee said that Rassamni offered his advocacy with City Hall, and has not asked for campaign contributions.

GV Wire spoke with several other merchants who said Rassamni has talked to them about cleaning up Blackstone Avenue, but not about political contributions.

One merchant who did not want to be named called the allegations “ridiculous,” and said Rassamni has been advocating for merchants for years.

District 7 Race

Rassamni is one of four candidates who have filed to replace Nelson Esparza for the east-central Fresno district. Esparza is termed out after the 2026 election.

Esparza is endorsing his one-time staffer Nav Gurm, a recent law school graduate.

Arias is endorsing his one-time staffer, community advocate Ariana Martinez Lott.

Rassamni questioned whether Arias’ allegations are politically motivated.

“Miguel is not endorsing me. He’s endorsing somebody else. So, it could be, it’s possible,” Rassamni said.

Possible Brown Act Violation — on Arias

David Loy, legal director with the First Amendment Coalition, said Rassmani’s email would not be a violation of the Brown Act — the state’s open meeting laws. However, Arias’ “reply all” could be.

“There’s no Brown Act problem if the city council members simply receive an email from a member of the public or a staff member. If a council member replies to the email & copies all other council members, or at least a majority of the council (including the sender), that would be a Brown Act problem, because it would be a ‘meeting’ of the council outside of a properly noticed meeting,” Loy said.

Janz had no comment on the potential Brown Act violation.

(GV Wire’s Edward Smith contributed to this story)