Lawsuits reshaping Fresno's legal landscape

The curated articles all highlight significant legal cases and ongoing legal battles that have shaped or are shaping Fresno's regional legal landscape. Each case involves different aspects of law and community dynamics. One article discusses a lawsuit against Fresno Unified for implementing programs aimed at closing the African American student achievement gap. Critics argue these programs discriminate against non-Black students. In another case, a Fresno businessman faces charges for defrauding investors in Bitwise Industries, showcasing financial and corporate legal issues. Additionally, the co-founders of Bitwise, after being convicted of wire fraud, are reporting to prison, highlighting personal accountability in corporate fraud. Moreover, a state appellate court ruling in favor of community groups against Caltrans on environmental reviews underscores the community's fight for environmental justice. Lastly, federal officials threaten to cut funding if Fresno doesn't comply with new policies on DEI and immigration enforcement, indicating federal influence on local governance.

Ron Estrada is the CEO of Farmworker Justice, a national advocacy organization for farmworkers.

NO. 1: INTERNET DEPLOYMENT DELAYS IMPACT FARMWORKERS, INCLUDING IN CALIFORNIA’S CENTRAL VALLEY | OPINION

“Elected officials should streamline the process so that the work of providing internet access for all can get underway faster.” | Published February 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ron Estrada

Fresno lawyer Roger Bonakdar is working with over a hundred California-based Bitwise Industries employees on a class action lawsuit following the company’s decision to furlough its entire workforce last week. By CRAIG KOHLRUSS

NO. 2: FRESNO BUSINESSMAN FACES FEDERAL CHARGES FOR ALLEGEDLY DEFRAUDING BITWISE INVESTORS

Bitwise did not repay the loans before collapsing. As a result, the investors in the loans lost nearly all of their money. | Published February 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert Rodriguez

FUSD says the African American Academic Acceleration Department is dedicated to ending the achievement gap experienced by Black students and changing the district’s culture. Of the K-5 students who participated in the district’s A4 reading program in 2021, district officials say 67% showed growth.

NO. 3: GROUP TARGETING ‘WOKE CULTURE’ SUES FRESNO UNIFIED OVER PROGRAMS HELPING BLACK STUDENTS

The district launched its African American Academic Acceleration program to address its Black student achievement gap. | Published February 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Leqi Zhong

Bitwise co-founders Irma Olguin Jr. and Jake Soberal walk out of the Robert E. Coyle Federal Courthouse in Fresno, where they pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges and agreed to pay millions in restitution on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. By CRAIG KOHLRUSS

NO. 4: CO-FOUNDERS BEHIND BITWISE COLLAPSE IN FRESNO REPORT TO PRISON TO SERVE FRAUD SENTENCES

They bilked investors out of nearly $115 million as they propped up the failing tech and real estate company. | Published March 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert Rodriguez

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An empty lot on Kern Street in Fresno’s Chinatown with downtown Fresno in the background on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Chinatown Fresno is sponsoring a workshop by the Incremental Development Alliance to help develop empty lots and unused buildings in the area. Inc Dev, is a nonprofit alliance that empowers small developers and local communities to create stronger neighborhoods through incremental, bottom-up development. By CRAIG KOHLRUSS

NO. 5: DEMOCRATIZING DEVELOPMENT. CAN GOING SMALL SOLVE NEIGHBORHOOD PROBLEMS IN FRESNO?

The Incremental Development Alliance is holding its next how-to workshop in Fresno on April 24. | Published April 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joshua Tehee

A truck passes through the intersection of Central and Cherry avenues near Orange Center Elementary School in Malaga on Thursday, April 6, 2023. A lawsuit by residents of Calwa and Malaga in south central Fresno alleges that environmental impacts for a $140 million interchange project on Highway 99 will be harmful for residents. By CRAIG KOHLRUSS

NO. 6: SOUTH FRESNO COMMUNITY GROUPS SCORE ANOTHER VICTORY WITH APPEALS COURT RULING | OPINION

Opinion by Marek Warszawski: “Caltrans’ analysis completely disregarded tens of thousands of residents.” | Published April 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marek Warszawski

High-speed rail construction work has tied up streets in downtown Fresno longer than Mayor Jerry Dyer wanted. Now comes word that state money for improving utilities downtown will be delayed. By ERIC PAUL ZAMORA

NO. 7: FRESNO MUST CUT DEI LANGUAGE AND HELP ICE OR LOSE FUNDING, FEDERAL OFFICIALS SAY

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy sent a letter to several San Joaquin Valley cities warning them about the potential loss of funding. | Published May 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Thaddeus Miller

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.