A California police chief who resigned over an alleged affair with his officer’s wife has started his own consulting firm.
Former Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama, 47, was named a suspect by city officials in June over an alleged relationship with a non-city employee.
Balderrama, who is married to Kayla and has three children, later resigned over the matter after being placed on administrative leave.
One day before his official last day in office, he filed papers with the California Secretary of State to form El Matador Consulting LLC, according to GV wire.
He listed his home address in Madera County as his place of business and added his title as CEO/Founder to his LinkedIn page.
Balderrama, 47, was exposed by city officials in June as he was investigated over an alleged relationship with a non-city employee
Balderrama, who is married to his wife Kayla and has three children, later resigned over the matter after being placed on administrative leave
It was previously alleged that Balderrama abused his position to manipulate the career of his colleague Jordan Wamhoff, with whose wife he was allegedly having an affair.
According to sources, Balderrama abused his position as chef to disrupt Wamhoff’s career so he could spend more time with his wife.
The Fresno Bee reported that after learning of the affair, Wamhoff contacted city officials and made demands to avoid filing a lawsuit.
According to the outlet, this includes Balderrama’s dismissal and new flexible working hours for him.
The outlet saw the text message he sent to officials, in which he called for his resignation within 30 days and offered to sign a nondisclosure agreement if the city agreed.
Wamhoff, who also represents District 1 on the Madera County Board of Supervisors, has served as a public servant for more than a decade.
He also previously served as vice president of the Fresno Police Officers Association, the local police union that represents rank-and-file officers.
It was previously alleged that Balderrama used his position to manipulate the career of his colleague Jordan Wamhoff, with whose wife he is accused of having an affair.
In a statement released by Wamhoff earlier this year, he alleged that Balderrama began a two-year affair, starting in August 2021, which ended when the affair was discovered in 2023.
After the alleged affair was reported to the city attorney, Balderrama allegedly admitted to the affair but minimized its duration.
After the matter came to light, Balderrama said in a memo to officers that he planned to admit his mistakes in an email to the department.
He wrote: ‘It is so true that there are two sides to every story, but I have no intention of justifying or defending myself, regardless of the unknown circumstances.
My actions did not meet the standards of who I am as a religious man, husband or father.
‘I acknowledge my mistakes, they are mine and I bear them alone, and I will pay for those mistakes for the rest of my life.
It is alleged that Balderrama and the department opted to have another officer fill the position so the chief could pursue the case.
Balderrama is said to have started a two-year affair from August 2021, which ended when it was discovered in 2023
“My family is deeply affected by this and I humbly ask for your mercy, discretion and understanding during this difficult time.”
He then asked the department’s employees for forgiveness, saying he understands if they are “angry and disappointed.”
When Balderrama was interviewed by the press, he made a shocking claim when he suggested that his wife Kyla had forgiven him.
“I never claimed to be perfect,” he said. “I’m also very proud of my family and I can tell you that I owe them forgiveness, and I have been forgiven.”
The father of three said he was told not to talk about the ongoing investigation but spoke to reporters anyway.
“I am human, I am not perfect, I work extremely hard and I intend to lead this police department to even greater heights,” Balderrama said before thanking his fellow officers and the community for their support and prayers.
When Balderrama was interviewed by the press, he appeared to make a shocking claim when he suggested that his wife Kyla had forgiven him
Fox 26 KMPH reported that Balderrama applied for a police chief position in Austin, Texas while on paid leave
“I have received hundreds and hundreds of messages, with Bible verses, saying they are praying for me and my family and asking me, ‘Please don’t give up.’”
Fox 26 KMPH reported that Balderrama, while on paid leave, applied for a police chief position in Austin, Texas.
It’s not clear exactly when he applied for the new job, but the city of Austin began accepting applications in May, before news of the alleged affair broke.
Balderrama became chief of police in 2021, making history as the first police chief of Hispanic descent.
Previously a public information officer for the Oklahoma City Police Department, he appeared regularly on television in the metro area in the 2000s and 2010s.
An editorial from The Lost Stogle claimed BAlderrama melted the hearts of female news viewers with his TV appearances.