The former employee of the Fresno Arts Council at the center of an embezzlement scandal pleaded guilty to wire fraud in federal court on Monday.
U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced that Suliana Caldwell, 46, pleaded guilty to stealing more than $1.8 million in Measure P funding from the Arts Council.
Driving the news: Caldwell worked as operations manager for the Arts Council from 2021 to February 2026, when city officials reported that $1.5 million in Measure P funding was embezzled.
- The funding was intended to support local access to the arts.
- Caldwell agreed to a plea deal with federal prosecutors earlier this month and agreed to pay back the money in restitution.
Zoom in: Caldwell began embezzling the money in 2022 by making unauthorized withdrawals from the Fresno Arts Council’s bank accounts.
- She increased the amount of money she withdrew once the Fresno City Council contracted the Arts Council to administer Measure P grand funding.
- Along with the theft, Caldwell falsified financial reports by showing incorrect funds in the Arts Council’s bank accounts and presented the false reports to the organization’s leadership.
- Court documents state that Caldwell used the money to gamble at local casinos, pay for vacations and for other personal expenses.
What we’re watching: Caldwell will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer Thurston on Aug. 10.
- She faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The post Ex-Arts Council employee pleads guilty to Measure P embezzlement appeared first on The San Joaquin Valley Sun.
