The Robert E. Coyle Federal Courthouse in Downtown Fresno. File photo

Suliana Caldwell, 46, pleaded guilty on Monday to embezzling $1.8 million dollars of funds from the Fresno Art Council, announced U.S. Attorney Eric Grant.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 10, 2026. Caldwell could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Court documents reveal that Caldwell, who was the Fresno Art Council’s operations manager between 2021 and February 2026, was responsible for the council’s finances, including bank accounts, payroll, donations and grants.

She was required to provide periodic financial reports and general updates to the arts agency’s executive director and its board members, as well as the city and county of Fresno.

Starting in 2022, Caldwell began making unauthorized withdrawals from the agency’s bank accounts. 

The frequency of the unauthorized withdrawals increased in 2023, after the Fresno City Arts council was designated by the Fresno City Council to administer the Measure P grant money.

Measure P, or the Fresno Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Transactions and Use Tax, is a tax initiative that was passed by Fresno voters in 2018. It provides the funds necessary to maintain and improve Fresno’s parks, recreation and arts programs.

The Fresno Art Council received $9.4 million in Measure P funds in August of 2023, and an additional $5.7 million in October of 2024.

Caldwell covered up the fraudulent withdrawals by presenting falsified financial reports that misrepresented the council’s bank account balances. 

The stolen funds were used to gamble at local casinos, fund vacations and cover other personal expenses.