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Fresno Arts Council names new interim director amid $1.5M embezzlement
The non-profit is searching for a permanent leader after the alleged theft of Measure P funds.
Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:05am
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The Fresno Arts Council has appointed Andrea Mele as its new interim executive director following the revelation of a $1.5 million embezzlement scandal. The non-profit says it is cooperating with law enforcement on the ongoing investigation, but cannot provide specifics about the alleged theft, which involved funds from the voter-approved Measure P tax.
Why it matters
The Fresno Arts Council plays a key role in supporting the local arts community and administering public funds, so the embezzlement scandal has shaken public trust. The alleged theft of Measure P funds, which were earmarked for parks and the arts, raises concerns about oversight and accountability.
The details
According to the Fresno Arts Council's statement, former operations manager Suliana Caldwell is the individual behind the alleged $1.5 million embezzlement, though she has not been charged with a crime. The missing funds came from Measure P, a 30-year sales tax approved by voters in 2018 to build and maintain parks, with 12% allocated to supporting the arts through the Arts Council.
- The Fresno Arts Council announced Andrea Mele's appointment as interim executive director on March 21, 2026.
- The alleged embezzlement by former operations manager Suliana Caldwell was first revealed in February 2026.
The players
Andrea Mele
The new interim executive director of the Fresno Arts Council, appointed to lead the organization amid the $1.5 million embezzlement scandal.
Suliana Caldwell
The former operations manager of the Fresno Arts Council who is alleged to have embezzled $1.5 million, though she has not been charged with a crime.
Fresno Arts Council
The non-profit organization that administers arts funding and programming in Fresno, California.
What they’re saying
“My client intends to be fully cooperative and tell law enforcement everything the client knows about what went on.”
— Kevin Rooney, Defense attorney for Suliana Caldwell
What’s next
The Fresno Arts Council says it hopes to find a new permanent executive director with the "vision, experience, and courage to help guide the Fresno Arts Council into its next chapter." The ongoing investigation into the alleged embezzlement by former operations manager Suliana Caldwell is also expected to continue.
The takeaway
The Fresno Arts Council's embezzlement scandal has shaken public trust in the organization and raised concerns about oversight of public funds allocated for the arts. The non-profit's appointment of an interim director and search for a permanent leader with integrity will be crucial in rebuilding confidence and ensuring proper stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
