The former employee of the Fresno Arts Council who allegedly embezzled $1.5 million of Measure P funding has reportedly been identified.
ABC 30 reported that the former employee is Suliana Caldwell, who is being represented by defense attorney Kevin Rooney.
The backstory: Earlier this month, Fresno city leaders revealed that $1.5 million in Measure P funding had been embezzled by a former employee of the Fresno Arts Council.
- The funding was intended for competitive grants to expand access to arts.
- The Fresno Arts Council had been contracted by the city in 2023 to administer and distribute Measure P grant funding.
What they’re saying: Rooney confirmed to ABC 30 that Caldwell no longer works at the Fresno Arts Council.
- “My client intends to be fully cooperative and tell law enforcement everything the client knows about what went on,” Rooney told the station.
- Rooney said Caldwell will provide full and complete information to law enforcement about how the money was handled at the Arts Council.
- Caldwell has not been named by law enforcement as a suspect nor charged with any crimes at this point.
What we’re watching: While law enforcement continues its investigation, the Fresno officials are currently trying to figure out how to make up for the $1.5 million that was embezzled and kept out of the hands of local artists.
- Fresno City Manager Georgeanne White said during Monday’s Fresno Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission meeting that the city is considering using general fund revenue to cover the lost money while awaiting reimbursement from the Arts Council.
