Please, can someone close to Joaquin Arambula talk sense to the assemblyman? He's in desperate need of a lucid, heart-to-heart conversation from somebody close, somebody he respects. The High Cost of Winning There are no victories on the course Arambula is taking in his trial on misdemeanor child-abuse charges allegedly...
Could Mayor's First Veto Be Over Office Space?
Councilman Luis Chavez says the city council needs more office space. And the members are willing to take a chunk from the city manager’s office to make it happen. “I wouldn’t call it a turf war. I would call it more of a clarification of space and which branch of...
Arambula: Defense Motion Describes Incident With Daughter, Accuses PD of Bad Faith
Attorneys for Joaquin Arambula, the Fresno assemblyman accused of child cruelty, say Fresno police illegally obtained evidence and want the case thrown out. In a motion filed on the first day of pre-trial hearings Tuesday, Arambula’s legal team says that Fresno police illegally acquired a report from the Child Protective...
Arambula in Court on Day One of Child Cruelty Case
Joaquin Arambula stood in line around 8:20 a.m. at the main Fresno County courthouse, just like everyone else Tuesday. Surrounded by his wife Elizabeth, mother Amy, father Juan and a family friend, the assemblyman standing trial for child abuse entered security screening like everyone else. Arambula's first day of pre-trial...
Arambula Pleads Not Guilty to Child Cruelty Charge
A not guilty plea was entered on behalf of Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) during an arraignment hearing that lasted less than 90 seconds Wednesday. Arambula did not appear in Fresno Superior Court to face a misdemeanor charge of cruelty to a child. The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office charged Arambula,...
Assemblyman Arambula Goes on Leave After Child Cruelty Charges Filed
Charged with misdemeanor child cruelty Tuesday morning by the Fresno County District Attorney's Office, Joaquin Arambula is voluntarily taking a temporary unpaid leave from the Assembly. “My wife and I are shocked that the District Attorney has decided to file charges," the Democratic lawmaker said in a statement released by his...
Former Westlands Lobbyist Now Seen as Likely for Interior Secretary
The number of contenders with Valley connections in the running to become President Trump's next Interior Secretary has risen to two. Earlier this month, the name of outgoing Valley Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) surfaced as a potential choice. Denham has expressed his interest in the job, which is being vacated by...
Assembly Speaker Rendon Troubled by Arambula's Child Abuse Arrest
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) broke his silence on the child abuse arrest this week of Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno). The speaker wants the full legal process to play out before deciding if action is warranted. “The allegation made against Assemblymember Arambula is troubling and warrants full investigation. As I’ve...
Dyer Contradicts Arambula's Statement in Child Cruelty Arrest
Joaquin and Elizabeth Arambula are happy their children are back home. They spent the first night reunited with their children reading. The next morning, they turned the lights on the Christmas tree. The Arambulas’ three children, ages 7, 6 and 3, are back home, exiled for two days at the...
Arambula Says He Spanked His Daughter Night Before Arrest
Democratic Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula of Fresno said Wednesday that the child abuse allegation he faces stems from spanking his 7-year-old daughter. Arambula said he spanked his daughter Sunday night and it's a punishment tool he rarely uses, The Fresno Bee reported. He said he has no plans to resign. Arambula faces a March...