MADERA – Madera County District Attorney Sally Moreno has opened an investigation into the Madera County Grand Jury’s allegation of malfeasance and/or misfeasance on the part of former city administrators and former and present Madera City Council members.
At this time Moreno would not say whether the investigation will be civil or criminal but the statute of limitations on a felony complaint is three years and a misdemeanor is one year.
“While it appears the previous council was behaving less than ethically, it was ordinary citizens who have gotten things back on track. That’s how things are supposed to work; newly elected members have made significant changes and new staffs are in place that appears to have a better grasp of their legal and ethical obligations”, Moreno said in a press release.
Responses on Facebook seem to support the DA’s decision to pursue further investigation into the work the Grand Jury has already revealed. Heidi Foley, a former dispatcher for the Madera Police Department posted, “Well this should be interesting.”
The Grand Jury report, released late last month, was quite vague on what actual wrongdoing or transgressions were committed by city officials. However, the report indicated that the city was less than cooperative in providing public records that were requested by the Grand Jury.
Moreno added, “The Grand Jury is correct that malfeasance and/or misfeasance cannot and should not go unpunished. As your District Attorney, I have opened an investigation into the allegations in the Grand Jury report. I will oversee this investigation to its conclusion, and if charges can ethically be prosecuted by this office, they will be.”
Moreno was unsure how long this investigation would take but was sure t more than like would not be concluded any time soon. “Appearances can be deceiving. Also, where there’s smoke there’s fire. Stand by to see which this is.”
Madera Mayor Andy Medellin, a target of concern from Madera land developer Mike Pistoresi and Khalid Chaudhry of Ripon, told BVN this after learning of the investigations, “There is nothing to hide. I will fully cooperate with any investigation.”
