‘Work only for the Council majority.’ Alleged corruption detailed by Fresno city attorney
Fresno City Attorney Doug Sloan shared details of a conversation he had with Fresno City Council President Nelson Esparza — what Councilmember Garry Bredefeld described as extortion of the attorney.
Bredefeld made the accusations against Esparza during a Friday morning news conference.
Sloan did not respond to multiple requests for comment, but later shared an email with ABC30 detailing his conversation with Esparza, which was then disseminated by Bredefeld, who said Sloan gave him permission to release it to all media.
In the email, Sloan summarized his conversation with Esparza on April 22 this way:
NE: “I’m just going to cut to the chase. I’m standing between you and you losing your job. From now on you are to work only for the Council majority.”
DS: “So what do I do if the others ask me to do something?”
NE: “Come talk to me.”
DS: “So where is Luis on this?”
NE: “It doesn’t matter.”
End of the conversation.
“I relayed this conversation to a few people, and did not intend for it to be made public,” Sloan continued. “First, I knew there was no proof, other than credibility, that the conversation occurred. Second, I was already strongly considering the new position, and I knew in my mind one way or another, I was certainly not going to violate the Charter and professional responsibilities and not provide service to all City officials.
“It’s unfortunate this occurred, and hopefully it never will again.
“I will have nothing more to say on the matter.”
Esparza dismissed the allegations as “false, unsubstantiated and lacking evidence.” It remains unclear if the claims are being investigated by a law enforcement agency.
Bredefeld’s news conference about the matter came the same week ballots for the June primary were arriving in the mailboxes of Fresno County voters.
Last month, Sloan accepted a new job in Southern California that he will begin in June.
