🚀 go-pugleaf

FRESNO-CLOVIS                             Friday, Aug 11, 1995

In the conservative Fresno-Clovis metropolitan area, it was no 
surprise that the developers were riding rough-shod over these
cities, the surprise was that anybody got caught.  Like bad
tasting water, it eventually is no longer noticed.  This has 
long been an inside joke among California pols.  
  
So far, six are under federal indictment with charges including
racketeering, extortion, and witness tampering.  It is believed
that as many as twenty more may be indicted as the FBI's Operation
Rezone continues.  Those indicted include Clovis City Council 
Member Leif Sorenson, several colorful developers and developers' 
most successful lobbyist; Jeffrey T. Roberts.  Roberts has seemingly 
plea bargained guilty to tax evasion, and has cooperated with the 
FBI via a dramatic written confession.
  
Fresno's largest and best known home developer; John Bonadelle 
remains one of the FBI's remaining targets according to today's 
Fresno Bee.  Both John Bonadelle and Fresno's pro-development 
mayor, Jim Patterson have stated that their shop is clean and 
that they are fully cooperating with the tightening investigation.

The investigation was initiated after developer William Tatham Jr.
complained to the FBI about political extortion in the amount of
$10,000.  He later wore a wire for the FBI.  The story has grown 
to include bankers, insurance agents, a prominent restaurateur, 
out-of-town developers, past and present Clovis City Council members 
and votes and actions, and the unknown side of the old-boy political 
power structure in these cities.  Among the Council actions being 
examined are vote buying, concerns over election validity and 
funding, as well as several projects and rezonings even in the face 
of strong neighborhood opposition. 

  - Douglas Bashford, From Dead Central California 

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