Fresno Code Enforcer Lacy Sued Over Alleged Assault on Homeless Advocate

Howard Lacy, the Fresno code enforcement officer whose conduct helped generate a $15.4 million federal jury verdict against the city in March, now faces a separate federal lawsuit alleging he physically assaulted a homeless advocate during a 2022 encampment clearance.

Dez Martinez, a local homeless advocate, filed the 2024 suit naming both Lacy and the City of Fresno as defendants. Martinez brought the allegations directly to the Fresno City Council on March 26, telling councilmembers that Lacy attacked her while she was recording the clearing of a homeless camp and that a nearby police officer had to physically intervene.

"You guys are getting sued for $15 million because he called somebody a derogatory name, what the f— are you going to do for me because he put his f—ing hands on me, got arrested, and you guys didn't even charge him," Martinez told the council.

The lawsuit predates the recent $15.4 million verdict but remains active, deepening the legal crisis confronting City Hall. That earlier verdict, returned in March, found the city liable in a racial-discrimination case in which Lacy's use of a racial slur and other conduct were central to the jury's findings.

Lacy remains on the city payroll, a fact that has drawn sharp criticism from activists and residents. Both Lacy and the city attorney's office declined to comment on the pending litigation.

GV Wire has filed a California Public Records Act request seeking police records related to Lacy's 2022 arrest connected to the alleged incident. The city has not yet responded.

The dual cases put Fresno in a difficult position heading into an election cycle already shadowed by questions about code enforcement oversight and the city's treatment of homeless residents. The city can defend both suits aggressively and risk compounding jury awards, pursue settlements, or make internal changes to discipline policies that could complicate existing labor agreements and insurance arrangements. With the Martinez case still active and the PRA request unresolved, the full scope of the city's liability tied to Lacy's conduct remains an open question.