Several Bitwise Industries workers furloughed on Monday are planning to sue their former employer for violating state law, their attorney says. "It's just unconscionable to me that they would make their employees their last priority," attorney Roger Bonakdar said. He is preparing a lawsuit that could be filed next week...
Attorney Calls Bitwise Treatment of Employees ‘Unconscionable,’ Preps Lawsuit
Several Bitwise Industries workers furloughed on Monday are planning to sue their former employer for violating state law, their attorney says. "It's just unconscionable to me that they would make their employees their last priority," attorney Roger Bonakdar said. He is preparing a lawsuit that could be filed next week...
Clovis School Surprises 50-Year Teacher with Yearbook Dedication
A half century ago, Richard Nixon was still in the White House, Elvis was rocking his spangly white jumpsuits in Vegas, and NASA launched Skylab, the first manned space station. Also being launched that year was Sharon Lamb, a Fresno native who, armed with her brand-new Fresno State teaching certificate,...
Clovis School Surprises 50-Year Teacher with Yearbook Dedication
A half century ago, Richard Nixon was still in the White House, Elvis was rocking his spangly white jumpsuits in Vegas, and NASA launched Skylab, the first manned space station. Also being launched that year was Sharon Lamb, a Fresno native who, armed with her brand-new Fresno State teaching certificate,...
Fresno City Council Wants Its Bitwise Money Back
Bitwise Industries, the Fresno-based company in the news this week for its apparent financial collapse, has a $1 million services contract with the city. Councilmen Mike Karbassi and Nelson Esparza want to end that contract and get the city's money back. At a Thursday news conference, Karbassi and Esparza announced...
Fresno City Council Wants Its Bitwise Money Back
Bitwise Industries, the Fresno-based company in the news this week for its apparent financial collapse, has a $1 million services contract with the city. Councilmen Mike Karbassi and Nelson Esparza want to end that contract and get the city's money back. At a Thursday news conference, Karbassi and Esparza announced...
FUSD Offers Teachers 11% Pay Raise over 3 Years in First Contract Proposal
Fresno Unified School District's first contract proposal presented Thursday to the Fresno Teachers Association includes an 11% salary increase over the next three years that would be contingent on state funding. The district had previously agreed to pay 100% of health care premiums for individuals. Families of three or larger...
FUSD Offers Teachers 11% Pay Raise over 3 Years in First Contract Proposal
Fresno Unified School District's first contract proposal presented Thursday to the Fresno Teachers Association includes an 11% salary increase over the next three years that would be contingent on state funding. The district had previously agreed to pay 100% of health care premiums for individuals. Families of three or larger...
What Bitwise Told Potential Lenders as It Tried to Raise Cash Before Employee Furloughs
In the days before Bitwise furloughed its entire workforce, company co-CEO Jake Soberal was busy calling, texting, and emailing local business leaders in hopes of obtaining bridge loans to navigate through a financial squeeze. Soberal's pitch to two of the bridge-loan prospects offered sky-high interest rates. In addition, one of...
Texas Company Seeks $33 Million From Bitwise in Lawsuit Filed Today
A new lawsuit filed Wednesday seeks $33 million from Bitwise Industries for a failed business venture. This is the latest negative financial news for the Fresno-based tech/real estate company, which furloughed its staff of about 900 employees on Monday. Filed by Texas-based NICbyte LLC, the lawsuit alleges that Bitwise and...