Sober heads prevailed this week as the Fresno City Council issued a brief, unsigned statement confirming that City Attorney Andrew Janz did not violate any city policies in connection with the arrest of council candidate Naindeep Singh. The council also noted that Janz has withdrawn his request for a counter‑investigation into Councilmember Miguel Arias, effectively closing that matter as well.
Council’s Findings
“The Fresno City Council has reviewed the matter and has concluded that policies were followed by the City Attorney and the matter is closed,” the statement read. “The City Attorney has withdrawn his letter seeking an investigation of Councilmember Arias, and that matter is closed as well.”
The council’s announcement did not explain how it reached its conclusion, nor did it detail why Janz chose to withdraw his request to investigate Arias. Neither Arias, Singh, nor Singh’s attorney, Kevin Little, responded to requests for comment. A spokesperson for Janz also declined further comment.
Background of the Dispute
The disagreement began when Janz publicly confirmed Singh’s arrest by the Fresno Police Department to a local Substack writer only hours after the incident. Councilmember Arias argued that such a disclosure fell outside the city attorney’s typical duties and raised concerns about Janz’s relationship with political operative Alex Tavlian, who runs an anti‑Singh political action committee.
Arias also warned that the city attorney’s involvement could appear to influence the legal process surrounding the arrest, which occurred just ten days before the upcoming election. Both leaders previously hinted at possible litigation against one another over the matter.
Requests for Records and State Involvement
Following the arrest, Singh and his attorney sought the police report and body‑camera footage. Police Chief Mindy Casto had previously indicated that the footage would be released upon request, but the city attorney’s office has not provided the documents to Fresnoland’s records request or to Singh’s legal team.
Little and Singh have appealed to California Attorney General Rob Bonta to examine Janz’s actions, alleging that the city attorney may have played an inappropriate role in publicizing the arrest. The attorney general’s office declined to comment on whether an investigation is underway.
Political Context
Janz previously fundraised for Attorney General Bonta in 2022, a fact noted by local observers given Bonta’s history of suing the City of Fresno in several prior cases. Critics suggest that these ties could complicate any potential state‑level review.
While the council’s statement brings an end to the immediate conflict, it leaves unanswered questions about transparency and the handling of public‑record requests. The episode underscores the importance of clear boundaries between legal counsel, elected officials, and political operatives, especially during an election cycle.
Looking Ahead
With many councilmembers, including Arias, facing upcoming elections, the council’s decision to close the investigation may help avoid prolonged legal battles that could distract from governance. Residents and local media will likely continue to monitor the release of any pending records and the broader implications for city‑level accountability.
Original reporting: Fresnoland — read the source article.
