Jury selection for trial of former mayor and developer set to begin next week
The two defendants appeared Thursday morning at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, where it was confirmed that the jury selection portion of their trial would proceed as scheduled May 6.
After nearly a decade of delays, former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet and developer John Wessman will stand trial on bribery charges beginning May 6 at the Banning Justice Center.
The two defendants appeared Thursday morning at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, where it was confirmed that the jury selection portion of their trial would proceed as scheduled next week.
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The case against Pougnet and Wessman, along with another developer, Richard Meaney, began nearly 10 years ago with a raid on Palm Springs City Hall. Pougnet is accused of accepting payments from the developers to support their projects, including the revitalization of Downtown Palm Springs.
Meaney pleaded guilty to misdemeanor conflict of interest charges in 2023.
Speaking to KESQ-TV outside the Indio courthouse, Pougnet expressed relief at finally having his day in court.
“I certainly can’t talk too much about the trial,” he said. “But I would like to say finally I have the opportunity to clear my name. So I look forward to doing that.”
Pougnet also defended his record as mayor, a position he held from 2007 to 2015.
“(M)ost importantly, to the people of Palm Springs, is look at our downtown. Look what I and the city council did in that downtown,” he told the station. “Now I have my day in court to clear my name, but my legacy is that downtown and how Palm Springs is booming.”
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