Fresno mystery mailers: Candidate threatens legal action

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Residents in Fresno’s District 5 received a mailer accusing Fresno City Council candidate Brandon Vang of alleged statutory rape for a case dating back to 1993.

The mailer is coming from a group called “Fresno Future Forward” and the address listed for the organization leads back to a UPS store.

In a press conference on March 10, a few days before the special election on March 18,  Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz said they immediately opened up an investigation about who was behind the mailers.

“My office and I intend to move quickly and expeditiously only as we do with all matters,” Janz said during the press conference. “Voters have a right to know under the law who is behind these mailers so that they may make an informed decision about who they will vote for to represent the residents of Council District 5.”

Janz said what triggered their investigation was not so much the content of the mailers but to find out if the name was listed in the mailer. “Fresno Future Forward” was in compliance with Campaign Finance Laws.

“Let me be clear: my investigation is only about the enforcement of campaign finance laws,” he said. “Mailers and an amount greater equal to $1,000 which would trigger an automatic requirement to register these independent expenditures with our Fresno City Clerk Todd Stermer.

Janz said they plan to act quickly before the election next week.

“The City Attorney has subpoena power, so we will use all of our legal tools at our disposal to find out who sent them out,” Janz said.

As for the mailer itself, it is accusing Vang of alleged statutory rape of a 15-year-old girl and includes a picture of court documents from 1993.

Vang has denied all the allegations and said they will pursue legal action if necessary.

Janz said once they find out who is behind the mailers they will update the public with that information.