The Fresno Arts Council has named a new leader within just a couple months after the organization has been employed in a $1.5 million embezzlement scandal.
The Fresno Arts Council announced that Andrea Mele will serve as the interim Executive Director, replacing longtime leader Lilia Gonzales-Chavez.
The backstory: Fresno city officials revealed in early February that an employee has embezzled $1.5 million in Measure P funds that were intended for competitive grants to expand access to arts.
The Fresno Arts Council signed a five-year contract with the city in 2023 to administer and distribute Measure P grant funds.
ABC 30 later reported that the former employee who allegedly stole the money is Suliana Caldwell.
The big picture: The Fresno Arts Council board penned an open letter to the community announcing Mele’s new position leading the nonprofit.
Gonzales-Chavez had been the organization’s executive director since 2011, while Mele has been with the nonprofit since 2021, including the last two years as a program manager. Fresnoland reported that Gonzales-Chavez retired this month.
What we’re watching: The Fresno Arts Council said it is launching a search for a new permanent executive director.
What they’re saying: The board said in the letter that Mele comes in as a hopeful step forward.
“Andrea has been a passionate, steadfast member of our team for many years, and her deep programming experience is vital to both our mission and our shared goal of bringing stability and renewed energy to the Fresno Arts Council,” the board said.
The board also said that it is unable to provide any specific details as to the financial losses at this time.
“While we work through the transition of the organization and its leadership, our priority remains the artists, organizations, and communities who create Fresno County’s vibrant cultural landscape,” the board said. “Our commitment remains to ensure that the arts continue to thrive and are accessible to all.”