New executive director for Fresno Arts Council announced amid embezzlement scandal
The embezzled money was part of the Measure P grant funds that the Arts Council was supposed to manage for the City of Fresno.
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Board of Directors of the Fresno Arts Council has appointed new leadership after a $1.5 million embezzlement scandal.
Lauren Nikkel has now been named executive director of the organization.
Nikkel currently serves as Executive Director of the Kingsburg Chamber of Commerce.
She is set to take over at the Arts Council next week.
Andrea Mele had been serving as interim executive director since March following the discovered embezzlement.
The money was part of the Measure P grant funds that the Arts Council was supposed to manage for the City of Fresno.
Suliana Caldwell later pleaded to the crimes after an investigation.
She is set to be sentenced on August 10.
