Share
PALM SPRINGS — A grand jury has indicted the former mayor of Palm Springs in a public corruption case that alleges he took $375,000 in bribes from real estate developers.
Former mayor Stephen Philip Pougnet could be barred for life from holding public office if he is convicted, according to Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin. He faces up to 19 years in prison.
Real estate developers Richard Hugh Meaney and John Elroy Wessman were also charged. The defendants will be arraigned in Riverside County Superior Court on Sept. 12.
Officials allege Meaney and Wessman secretly funneled money to Pougnet between 2012 and 2014 when they had lucrative development projects before the city council. Pougnet allegedly voted on the projects and did not disclose his financial interest.
Pougnet Indicted on 21 Counts
Malcolm Segal, an attorney for Pougnet, called the votes “non-controversial” in a statement and said his client was a “terrific mayor” who “did his very best” for Palm Springs.
Pougnet was indicted on 21 counts and Meaney and Wessman, who face up to 12 years in prison respectively, were each indicted on 10 counts. It was not immediately clear if Meaney and Wessman had lawyers who could comment on their behalf.
A statement from the current Palm Springs mayor, Robert Moon, as well as Mayor Pro Tem Geoff Kors and the city’s three councilmembers said they are pleased the district attorney had a grand jury hear the case’s evidence. The elected officials noted they began their terms after the alleged wrongdoing occurred.
Ukraine’s Surprise Attack Has Forced Russia to Change Plans
2 hours ago
Californians Will Vote on $18 Minimum Wage. Workers Want $25 and More.
3 hours ago
Ricardo Lara Deserves Credit for Trying to Solve California’s Home Insurance Crisis
4 hours ago
Mark Gardner on Giants’ 2014 World Series Title, Why Fresno Turns Out Great Players
4 hours ago
What the Republican Party Might Look Like if Trump Loses
5 hours ago
Vikings QB McCarthy Needs Surgery on Meniscus Tear in Right Knee
5 hours ago
Japan’s Prime Minister Prepares to Step Down. Why, and What’s Next?
5 hours ago
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/14140813/IMG_7344-2048x1484-1-1024x576.jpg)
Friant Needs $90 Million to Pay for Massive Canal Project. Who Will Pony Up?
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/14125622/Apartments-damaged-by-falling-missile-debris-injury-several-people-in-Kursk-Russia-on-Tuesday-Aug.-13-2024.-Ukraine-pressed-ahead-with-its-assault-inside-Russian-territory-on-Tuesday-a-week-1024x538.jpg)
Ukraine’s Surprise Attack Has Forced Russia to Change Plans
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/14092611/020924_FAST_FOOD_UNION_JAH_CM_00739.jpg-1024x576.jpg)
Californians Will Vote on $18 Minimum Wage. Workers Want $25 and More.
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/14101619/041024-Ricardo-Lara-TS-CM-18.jpg-1024x576.jpg)
Ricardo Lara Deserves Credit for Trying to Solve California’s Home Insurance Crisis
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/13163938/shutterstock_31288807-1024x576.jpg)