The city of Fresno will not face sanctions for faking legal arguments in its attempt to remove a business near a railroad improvement project in central Fresno.

As part of a railroad grade separation project, the city plans to build an underpass at Blackstone and McKinley avenues next to Fresno City College. Several businesses at that intersection either accepted a settlement with the city to move or were forced out through eminent domain. The city acquired an eminent domain ruling against Art Terzian for his business A&T Ceramic at 1780 E. McKinley Ave. in 2024. A notice is posted on the otherwise boarded-up building.

Terzian refused to accept the city’s removal assistance funds, according to court documents, and the city sought court permission to remove Terzian’s belongings — mainly ceramic tiles — from the property through a filing known as a writ of assitance. Terzian, in a court reply, said it would cost between $800,000 and $1.2 million to move and store his inventory.

In an unrelated case, Terzian faces fraud charges filed by the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office in 2023.

Building in Question Subject of Arson Probe

“It is unfortunate that Mr. Terzian refused multiple attempts by the city of Fresno to assist him in removing his commercial property from the building and land now in possession of the city. This delay by Mr. Terzian led to a structure fire that is still under investigation, as evidence indicates it was intentionally set,” City Attorney Andrew Janz said.

Reviewing the writ, filed Dec. 31, 2025, Fresno County Superior Court Judge Kristi Culver Kapetan faulted the city, identifying 11 arguments the city made in court filings that did “not exist either at the citation or by its case name.”

“The court determines that legal contentions made by counsel for plaintiff were not warranted by existing law as represented through counsel’s signature and filing of the application,” Culver Kapetan wrote.

Culver Kapetan threatened a $10,000 sanction for each incident but canceled the hearing — scheduled for Tuesday, April 14 — when the city withdrew its writ of assistance. Court rules allow the withdrawal within 21 days to avoid a penalty. The city can refile, Janz said.

“The court is satisfied that the offending application was not the result of a direct action taken by those primarily handling this matter or anyone remaining with the firm. In an emergent situation, plaintiff’s counsel dutifully sought coverage that appeared competent on its face but unfortunately resulted in this order to show cause. The firm has since taken action to appropriately rectify the situation,” Culver Kapetan wrote in an April 13 order.

GV Wire’s messages to Terzian’s attorney were not returned.

Attorney Responsible for Bogus Arguments ‘No Longer Employed’

The city used the local law firm Aleshire & Wynder LLP, as it has for several land-use cases. In the application to withdraw the writ of assistance, partner Anthony Taylor explained what happened.

In September 2025, Taylor said he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. That same month, his legal partner Michael Linden also had a medical emergency. Both were handling the Terzian matter. The law firm hired attorney Carrie Raven to help with the case.

“I was unaware of the improper citations in the application for writ of assistance until I saw the court’s tentative ruling on Feb. 23, 2026,” Taylor wrote. “The improper citations in the application for writ of assistance are unacceptable and counter to the standards of practice for litigators of the firm. Aleshire & Wynder immediately took steps to address this situation. Effective Feb. 26, 2026, Ms. Raven is no longer employed by Aleshire & Wynder.”

The State Bar website lists Raven as admitted to practice law since 2006, with a current address in Claremont. She has no listed disciplinary actions. Raven did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Janz would not comment exactly on how the mistakes were made.

“We’re happy that’s behind us, and we’re going to move forward,” Janz said.

Culver Kapetan did not make any assumptions in her rulings about the mistakes, such as whether artificial intelligence was used.

Janz also praised Taylor, even with the mistake.

“Anthony Taylor and his firm are excellent. He’s an excellent attorney and will continue doing good work for the city,” Janz said.

Terzian Faces Felony Counts

Terzian, 78, also faces criminal charges. The DA’s office filed 14 counts of felony fraud, forgery and other similar acts against him in 2023. The case is listed under the name Avedis Aram Terzian.  He is accused of forging several real estate documents in December 2022.

He is scheduled to return to court June 1 for a pre-preliminary hearing.