After a \u201cnasty\u201d start to their divorce, Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula and Elizabeth Arambula last week stood just a few feet apart in a show of goodwill they can be amicable as they proceed to the end of their nearly 15-year marriage.<\/p>\n
The Fresno Democrat and candidate for Fresno City Council District 3<\/a> in the June 2 primary election said he placed his family above any potential blight the divorce proceedings could be on his campaign.<\/p>\n \u201cPolitics be damned,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m focused on making sure that I\u2019m the best person that I can be: the best father and the best public servant.\u201d<\/p>\n The Arambulas appeared Friday<\/a> in a B.F. Sisk Courthouse courtroom as part of the divorce, which began through official court filings<\/a> on Jan. 26.<\/p>\n Little happened in the open courtroom on Friday, but both Arambulas and their attorneys assured a gaggle of reporters that the two had met and worked out a temporary agreement while they continue the dissolution of their marriage.<\/p>\n He would again be allowed to see their three children and she would be provided financial support. They declined to discuss the details beyond that.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve always been focused on making sure that I have access to my daughters as any father would want to be able to have access to their children, and it\u2019s always been my North Star,\u201d Joaquin Arambula said. \u201cI\u2019m glad that we were able to reach that agreement.\u201d<\/p>\n Elizabeth Arambula declined to comment, deferring to her attorney, Zeppy Attashian.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know that you could even say that there are hard feelings between the Arambulas,\u201d Attashian said. \u201cI believe it\u2019s just a transition in life and in a time in their life where they\u2019re having to say some maybe unlikeable or unpleasant things about one another.\u201d<\/p>\n The divorce came to light amid ugly accusations stated in court filings. Elizabeth Arambula claimed the assemblymember had problems with marijuana use and overspending on smartphone video games.<\/p>\n Joaquin Arambula acknowledged his marijuana use in a signed Feb. 13 declaration to the court that noted he entered the voluntary inpatient program Jan. 7 designed to provide him skills to cope with stress. He wrote he completed the program Feb. 6 in an effort to ensure he did not become dependent on marijuana or alcohol.<\/p>\n In a letter to the court, he said he had not been able to visit his three daughters.<\/p>\n Elizabeth Arambula described herself in filings as a stay-at-home mom for 15 years, asking the court to intercede in the financial standings of the couple. He controlled all of their savings, checking and credit cards.<\/p>\n