U.S. Indicts Official, 4 Developers in Fresno-Area Corruption Probe

A Clovis city councilman and four prominent developers were indicted Tuesday as part of a continuing federal investigation into political corruption in the central San Joaquin Valley.

Councilman Leif C. Sorensen was charged with seven criminal counts--including racketeering, extortion, money laundering and conspiracy to obstruct justice--for his alleged role in three land deals in Clovis, a city next to Fresno. Longtime builders Patrick R. Fortune and Kenneth G. Crabtree were charged with two counts of tampering with a witness.

Also indicted were development brokers Jack Williams and his son, David Williams, and restaurant owner David Milutinovich. The elder Williams was charged with money laundering and conspiracy to obstruct justice in one land deal. The younger Williams and Milutinovich were charged with giving false information to a grand jury.

Last month, developer consultant Jeffrey Roberts pleaded guilty to extortion in a Clovis land deal. Roberts is cooperating with federal agents in the 18-month investigation. Federal sources say more indictments involving land deals in Fresno are expected.