Crime & Safety
Fresno City Councilman Accused Of Trying To Extort Ex-City Attorney
Fresno Councilman Nelson Orlando Esparza has been charged with attempted extortion. Prosecutors say he threatened a former city attorney.
FRESNO, CA — Fresno city Council President Nelson Esparza has been charged with attempted extortion after prosecutors say he threatened to fire a former city attorney unless he agreed to work strictly for the council majority.
Esparza, 31, of Fresno, was charged with single counts of attempted extortion and attempting to violate Section 803 of the city charter, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.
Esparza threatened the employment of former City Attorney Douglas Sloan, implying that Sloan would be fired unless he agreed to work strictly for the Council majority, prosecutors said in a news release.
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If convicted, Esparza faces up to three years in state prison.
The district attorney’s office said it will have no further comment, as charges are now pending.
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Esparza represents District 7, which includes Hammond, Las Palmas and Cincotta. He was first elected to the council in 2018 and won re-election in last month's primary election.
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