A former employee of the Fresno Arts Council has agreed to plead guilty to wire fraud of more than $1.8 million, all funds that had been earmarked to support local artists.
Court records show Suliana Caldwell, who served as the Fresno Arts Council’s operations manager, has been offered a plea deal, which she intends to accept.
Prosecutors say she took funds, including those for Measure P grants, and used that money to gamble at casinos, pay for vacations and other personal expenses.
The deal says she could face up to 20 years in prison and requires her to pay restitution in full.
“Quite frankly, with the heartache that she’s caused to the arts community in Fresno and with the fact that she’s been doing this for nearly four years, I hope that she would get a stiff sentence,” Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said.
Dyer says the city is working to move funds in the budget for Measure P recipients, who did not get allocated money.
Caldwell is set to be in court for a change of plea hearing on April 20.
