On Friday, August 15, 2025, GV Wire reported that Fresno Superior Court Judge Robert Whalen is under investigation following an ethics complaint alleging he failed to disclose financial ties to a developer involved in a controversial luxury apartment project. The complaint centers on a $2,000 campaign contribution from the developer of an 82-unit luxury apartment complex that has faced significant opposition from local residents.

Judge Whalen ruled on July 14 that the city of Fresno had erred in not approving the development at Herndon and Prospect avenues, giving city officials until mid-September to reverse their decision. The project, proposed by Park 7, LLC and LandValue Management, LLC, led by developer James Huelskamp, faced objections from neighbors who cited concerns over traffic and privacy issues. Despite these concerns, Whalen determined that the project met necessary approval standards.

The ethics complaint, submitted to the Commission on Judicial Performance on July 30, asserts that Whalen received campaign contributions from Huelskamp but did not disclose this information or recuse himself from the case, as required by judicial ethics regulations. The complaint claims that Whalen and Huelskamp share a long-standing personal and business relationship, and it alleges that Whalen failed to reveal the extent of this relationship before presiding over the trial.

According to the complaint, Whalen had previously received contributions from Huelskamp’s companies. In 2018, LandValue 37, LLC contributed $2,000 to Whalen while he was serving on the Clovis City Council. When he ran for a judicial seat in 2022, Whalen transferred over $37,000 from his council campaign account to his judicial campaign account, which included funds from LandValue.

The individual who filed the complaint, Paul Martin, has an address listed at the Fresno County Hall of Records, and the phone number associated with the complaint belongs to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors clerk. The details of the complaint indicate that Whalen had an obligation to disclose his relationship with Huelskamp prior to the court case.

Fresno attorney Roger Bonakdar, who is not involved in the lawsuit or the complaint, noted that disclosure of such relationships does not necessarily have to be documented in writing. However, campaign finance records indicate that Huelskamp has contributed to Whalen’s campaigns multiple times over the years, including $1,000 for his 2010 state Assembly campaign and $1,600 for his 2012 Assembly campaign. He also donated $1,000 in 2004 and $2,000 in 2019 to Whalen’s Clovis City Council campaigns, with the latter amount later transferred to Whalen’s judicial campaign.

The implications of this complaint on the ongoing case remain uncertain. Since Whalen’s ruling, the Fresno City Council has not convened in closed session. City Council President Mike Karbassi declined to comment, as the matter is considered “quasi-judicial.”

The complaint outlines two potential violations of judicial ethics by Whalen. California law mandates that a judge must disqualify themselves if they have received contributions exceeding $1,500 from a party involved in a proceeding, particularly if the contribution was made in support of the judge’s last election or in anticipation of an upcoming election. Additionally, the California Code of Judicial Ethics requires judges to disclose contributions over $100, although this does not automatically result in disqualification.

The Commission on Judicial Performance is scheduled to meet in San Francisco on August 19-20 to discuss the complaint. The outcome of the commission’s review could range from closing the case to recommending the removal of the judge from office.

 

 

Source: GV Wire