Fresno Measure P arts funding under investigation for embezzlement, city takes control of funds
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Since 2018, Measure P has been a Fresno sales tax that is used to raise funding for parks, recreation and the arts. The arts funding from Fresno P has been managed by the Fresno Arts Council.
But in February, Fresno terminated the council’s control of the funds following the police’s current investigation of $1.5 million in embezzlement. An employee of the Fresno Arts Council is currently under investigation for the alleged embezzlement.
The Fresno Arts Council received more than $9.7 million during the first two years of Measure P and $5.7 million in 2024. The council’s next package of $6.6 million has been denied by the city
12% of Measure P taxes were meant to be distributed to local art organizations. While it is uncertain how much of the $1.5 million embezzled funds came from Measure P taxes, the parks general fund may have to be transferred to arts funding to make up for shortage.
“The Fresno Arts Council has been the victim of unauthorized financial transactions resulting in the loss of agency funds,” said the Fresno Arts Council in a statement. “This is a personnel issue that is currently under investigation.”
Fresno City Manager Georgeanne White said the Fresno Arts Council had its contract terminated because of the lack of financial oversight, and that criticism of Measure P funding should be directed at them.
“The city of Fresno did everything it was supposed to do under the agreement,” Said White. “If people want to be angry with someone, be angry with the Fresno Arts Council.”
Fresno Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission (PRAC) Chair Kimberly McCoy questioned White at a PRAC meeting, saying that there were no safeguards made on the city’s part.
Local Fresno artists and organizations are left with questions about the future of Measure P funding and how the city will address the issues with it.
“There’s a new layer of distrust there that wasn’t there before,” said Ashley Mireles-Guerrero, a recipient of a Measure P award.
Others in the art community, like Omé Lopez of Dulce Upfront, say the Fresno art community can withstand the setbacks and keep Measure P funding for years to come.
“We’re gonna have more — momentum is going to continue to build because we’re talking about 28 more years of this ordinance,” said Lopez.
The investigation into the embezzlement is still underway, and it remains to be seen how the city will distribute funds for this year.
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Sources: (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)
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