Lawyer calls for attorney general to investigate Fresno DA Smittcamp over Granite Park
An attorney for the nonprofit that operates Granite Park said he will refer claims regarding Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp to the state Attorney General’s Office for investigation.
Attorney Kevin Little, who represents the nonprofit Central Valley Community Sports Foundation run by local developer Terance Frazier, made the announcement in a news release one day after Smittcamp’s office issued a lengthy news release regarding multiple investigations into Fresno City Councilmembers.
Smittcamp on Tuesday announced she would not file charges against city councilmembers for violating the Brown Act, the open meeting law for public officials. She also said her office investigated city councilmembers for their purchases of PPE but declined to pursue charges in that investigation, as well. Smittcamp also confirmed knowledge of a federal investigation into the operations of Granite Park.
Little called Smittcamp’s news release a “shameful display of political cronyism” and questioned why she chose to disseminate information about a federal investigation when the FBI’s policy is to not confirm investigations.
“Ms. Smittcamp has shown time and again her willingness to use her public office to pursue baseless allegations against those on the other side of the political line,” Little said.
In a statement to The Bee, Smittcamp called Little’s allegations “imaginative,” and said it is the district attorney’s duty to inform the public on her office’s decisions on whether to prosecute. Smittcamp welcomed any investigation by the state attorney general’s office.
“Finally, based upon the comments attributed to Mr. Little and his clients in several local media stories, it would behoove Mr. Little and his clients to educate themselves on the differences between federal, state, and local prosecutions, and the rules of ethics for lawyers and prosecutors,” Smittcamp said.
She did not expressly deny any of Little’s allegations.
Little also alleged Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and his administration have been actively undermining a settlement agreement between Frazier and the city in order to cause a default on Granite Park.
Dyer, in a statement to The Bee, denied the allegation.
“To be very clear, the allegation that I have requested the district attorney to intervene on the Granite Park matter is absolutely false,” Dyer said. “I have not made any request for the district attorney’s office to investigate or intervene on matters regarding Granite Park.”
Currently, the city owns Granite Park but Frazier operates it through the nonprofit, which has invested thousands of dollars into updating the park. In 2019, the city released an audit into CVCSF’s finances and outlined multiple accounting irregularities. Frazier has maintained the audit was inaccurate.
Since then, city officials said the nonprofit was in compliance with the lease and agreed Frazier should get more money to operate the park, despite a few loud objections from political detractors.
Frazier sued the city for discrimination, alleging his contracts were treated differently than other developers because he is Black. The legal case remains ongoing.
Smittcamp announced the Brown Act investigation last year the day the city council was set to vote on a settlement agreement with Frazier.
Smittcamp in her Tuesday news release recommended the city amend its charter so the city attorney is hired by the mayor’s administration and approved by the city council. Currently, the city attorney is hired and fired by the council. Smittcamp said a change to the city charter would resolve any potential conflicts.
Little said that recommendation from Smittcamp was another attempt to centralize political power with her friend Mayor Dyer.
“The arrangement Ms. Smittcamp proposes is unprecedented in any city government in California,” Little said. “It is also astounding and hypocritical that Ms. Smittcamp raises the specter of a conflict of interest given her own transparent motives.”
This story was originally published March 2, 2022 at 2:59 PM.