The alleged embezzlement of $1.5 million in Measure P arts funding has left Fresno artists and organizations in limbo, with some still waiting for promised grant payments. Photo illustration by Cecilia Lopez

The Fresno Arts Council gave its first public statement Friday, days after the revelation that a former program coordinator is under FBI investigation, accused of embezzling $1.5 million in Measure P taxpayer dollars prior to leaving the organization.

“Upon being informed of the allegations, the Board acted immediately to secure organizational records and initiate appropriate next steps,” according to the statement from the Fresno Arts Council. “We are fully cooperating with the City of Fresno and law enforcement.”

It was back on Sept. 30, 2025 that the Fresno Arts Council failed to meet its deadline to submit financial reports on the second round of grant funding for local arts groups. In January, city officials received a batch of documents described as a “data dump,” which officials reported was missing key information.

The Fresno Arts Council statement went on to add that its mission — to “enrich our community’s way of life through the arts” — continues to be the nonprofit’s “guiding principle.”

“Because this is an active investigation, we are unable to provide further comment at this time,” the statement reads. “We will provide additional information as appropriate.”

The Fresno Arts Council, established as the nonprofit “Alliance for the Arts” in 1979, provides support for a number of cultural arts organizations, as well as individual artists and creators. It was the driving force behind ArtHop, a monthly free showcase and vendor fair for local artists and vendors to promote their craft.