Former Palm Springs mayor pleads guilty in bribery case

Former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet has admitted to multiple bribery charges tied to allegations that he accepted payments in return for backing certain real estate development proposals.

Pougnet, 62, pleaded guilty to eight counts of accepting bribes and eight counts of holding a prohibited financial interest in public contracts on Wednesday. He also admitted to one count of conspiracy and entered no contest pleas to three perjury charges, according to a statement released by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.

District Attorney’s spokesperson John Hall told KESQ News Channel 3 that the plea deal was arranged through the court rather than negotiated with prosecutors. The DA’s office opposed the agreement, arguing Pougnet violated the public’s trust.

Hall said the judge signaled that Pougnet could be sentenced to three years of probation.

Pougnet, who served as Palm Springs mayor until 2015, was originally charged in 2017 along with 86-year-old developer John Wessman. Both were indicted by a Riverside County grand jury in 2019.

Another figure in the case, 59-year-old Coachella Valley developer Richard Meaney, was also indicted. He pleaded guilty to a reinstated misdemeanor charge of financial conflict involving a government contract. He remains out on bond and is scheduled to be sentenced in June.

Prosecutors allege Wessman and Meaney paid Pougnet at least $375,000 between 2012 and 2014 to secure his support for various projects in Palm Springs. Among the developments cited in the case are the Kimpton hotel and surrounding downtown revitalization efforts.

Wessman’s case is still ongoing, with jury selection set to resume Thursday.

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