Fresno City Manger Georgeanne White said at a Tuesday morning news conference that Police Chief Paco Balderrama has resigned.

Mayor Jerry Dyer praised Balderrama for his accomplishments in Fresno while also saying that the chief’s resignation was in the best interests of the city and the police department.

The city will conduct a national search for Balderrama’s successor, Dyer and White said.

Until that hire is made, Deputy Chief Mindy Casto will continue as interim chief, Dyer said.

The mayor also said that there’s no reason why Balderrama couldn’t serve as a police chief of another city “and I expect him to do so.”

Related Story: Fresno Investigation into Police Chief Balderrama Is Finished: Sources

Balderrama Placed on Leave on June 12

The city placed Balderrama on paid leave on June 12, after reports of an inappropriate relationship surfaced. White subsequently named Casto as acting chief.

While the city has characterized it as an “off-duty relationship he was involved in with a non-city employee,” GV Wire later learned that Balderrama allegedly carried on an affair for more than two years with the wife of a police officer under his command, Jordan Wamhoff.

Multiple sources told GV Wire that Wamhoff’s attorney is negotiating with the city for a resolution. Wamhoff is an elected member of the Madera County Board of Supervisors and a former vice president of the Fresno Police Officers Association.

Balderrama’s ‘Unethical Behavior” Is Reason for His Departure: Officer’s Attorney

Attorney Brian Whelan of Fresno, who said he represents “the aggrieved” officer issued a statement on Balderrama’s resignation Tuesday afternoon.

“Today marks a significant victory for justice and integrity within the Fresno Police Department as Chief Paco Balderrama resigns from his position,” Whelan said. “This resignation is a direct result of the courageous actions of my client, who bravely stepped forward in February to expose the misconduct and breaches of trust perpetrated by Balderrama.

“My client’s fortitude has not only brought relief to himself but also to the numerous Fresno Police officers who have been betrayed by Balderrama’s actions. Any attempt by the city to spin this resignation as anything other than Balderrama facing the consequences of his misconduct is a misrepresentation of reality.

“The reality is clear: Paco Balderrama’s own unethical behavior is the reason for his departure. It is deeply regrettable that it took media scrutiny, rather than decisive action and a commitment to police ethics and moral clarity, to spur the city’s decision-makers into action.”

Balderrama’s Statement