Former U.S. District Court judge arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in Fresno
A former federal judge, who presided over some of this region’s most high-profile cases, was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of domestic violence.
Oliver Wanger was arrested by Fresno police and booked into Fresno County Jail early Saturday morning, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
The 82-year-old posted bail and was released after a little more than two hours.
The Fresno Police department on Tuesday confirmed Wanger was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence, but provided no other information on the case when contacted by The Bee.
In a statement, Wanger’s attorney, Peter Kapetan, said there are two sides to the allegation and he is “hopeful that an objective review of the facts will mandate that no charges be filed.”
“If charges are filed, Mr. Wanger will vigorously defend himself and we expect total vindication,” Kapetan said.
A court date was scheduled for March 2.
Oliver Wanger on the federal bench
Wanger was appointed to the U.S. District Court in 1991 by then-President George H.W. Bush (with a unanimous confirmation by the Senate) and oversaw the political corruption case in Fresno known as Operation Rezone, among others.
Prior to his appointment, Wanger served as a deputy district attorney in Fresno County and was a partner at McCormick, Barstow, Sheppard, Wayte and Carruth.
Wanger served on the bench until his retirement in 2011. He cited the Fresno court’s growing caseload for his decision.
After leaving the bench, Wanger continued to speak on a number of judicial issues, including lawsuits against California’s pandemic-inducted shelter-in-place order.
“I have known Oliver Wanger for over 30 years, both professionally and personally. He is a pillar of the community and an icon of the legal profession,” Kapetan wrote in his statement on the arrest.
“It is unfortunate that he has had this allegation leveled against him.”
This story was originally published December 20, 2022 at 1:23 PM.