The former Fresno Arts Council who embezzled nearly $2 million in taxpayer dollars will spend nearly three years in prison. 

Federal prosecutors announced Monday that Suliana Caldwell was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for stealing over $1.8 million. 

Driving the news: Caldwell, who was the council’s operations manager from 2021 to February 2026, managed the organization’s bank accounts, payroll, grants, donations and general finances. 

She was also tasked with providing financial updates and reports to the City of Fresno and Fresno County. 

The year after joining the organization, Caldwell started to embezzle funds by withdrawing money from the organization’s bank accounts. 

She continued in 2023 by significantly increasing the amount of money she stole after the Fresno City Council selected the Fresno Arts Council to administer Measure P grant money. 

Caldwell took more than $80,000 per month on average and concealed her theft by falsifying financial reports. 

Caldwell used the money to gamble at local casinos, pay for vacations and other personal expenses. 

Flashback: Caldwell pleaded guilty in April to wire fraud. 

What they’re saying: “This defendant abused her position, betrayed the public’s trust, and siphoned away over $1.8 million intended to support parks, trails, and the arts in Fresno,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Grant. “She lied and falsified financial reports in order to use taxpayer dollars to fund casino trips, vacations, and personal indulgences. Her actions undermined a community that believed in her. Today’s sentence reflects our commitment to protecting public funds and holding accountable anyone who exploits her position for personal gain.”

FBI Sacramento Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian Tosh said Caldwell betrayed the public’s trust. 

“Today’s sentencing underscores our commitment to investigating public corruption at every level,” Tosh said. “We encourage anyone with information on corruption to report it to the FBI so we can continue holding bad actors accountable and protecting community resources.” 

Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto added, “While it is disappointing that the community’s trust was violated by the theft Caldwell committed, we are grateful that the Fresno Police Department’s partnership with FBI investigators helped the U.S. Attorney’s Office to swiftly bring justice for the taxpayers in the City of Fresno.”