June 17 Daily Briefing: Not guilty verdict, development moves forward, Bark in the Park night, and more

Welcome to Tuesday, everyone. Each week, we love featuring one of the many animal companions available for adoption through our local shelter, and this week is no exception (see below!). But what if you’ve already welcomed a new furry friend into your home — particularly a pooch — and want to get out and about with them? That’s where the Palm Springs Power comes in. Tonight, under the cooling mist at Palm Springs Stadium, you and your four-legged bestie are invited to take in a baseball game at the annual Bark in the Park Night. The first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m., and as a bonus, the first 50 fans who enter the park with a dog will receive a goodie bag from Tailwaggers Pet Supply. See ticket prices and stadium directions here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “The Heat is On” by Glenn Frey

LEADING OFF

Developer acquitted in decade-long Palm Springs corruption case

A jury on Monday found developer John Wessman not guilty on all charges in a long-running corruption case involving former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet.

Driving the news: Wessman, 86, was acquitted on nine counts of bribery and one count of conspiracy after prosecutors alleged he paid the mayor more than $200,000 to secure city support for downtown redevelopment projects.

Looking back: The case stemmed from FBI raids on Palm Springs City Hall in 2015 and involved allegations that Wessman and fellow developer Richard Meaney placed Pougnet on their payroll through sham consulting payments between 2012 and 2014.

• Prosecutors argued the payments were intended to sway Pougnet’s support for key projects, including the Desert Fashion Plaza redevelopment and the Kimpton Rowan Hotel.

The timeline: The case unfolded over nearly a decade, including a 2017 criminal filing, a 2019 grand jury indictment, and repeated delays due to legal challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The defense: Wessman testified he had no knowledge of any improper payments to Pougnet and characterized co-defendant Meaney as a manipulative figure who acted independently.

The co-defendants: Pougnet and Meaney both pleaded guilty to charges related to the case. Pougnet admitted to more than 20 felonies, while Meaney accepted a misdemeanor plea in exchange for probation.

• Pougnet is scheduled to be sentenced on July 2, and Meaney’s sentencing is scheduled for July 28.

Why it matters: Wessman is one of Palm Springs’ most influential developers, credited with spearheading the city’s downtown revitalization, which transformed a long-vacant mall into a key component of the tourism economy.

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

🏗️ Committee approves 60-unit condo complex with design conditions

The Palm Springs Architectural Review Committee voted 4-0 Monday to approve a 60-unit condominium development at 1875 North Palm Canyon Dr., but required the developer to make design improvements addressing visual appeal and energy efficiency concerns.

• The project by Monaghan Palm Canyon, LLC will include residential condominiums, a clubhouse, pool area and dog park on 4.3 acres in the Little Tuscany neighborhood. The site previously housed a Shiloh Inn that was demolished in 2021 after a planned hotel project was abandoned.
  
• Committee members expressed concerns about the buildings’ appearance, with Member John Walsh calling the design “a little bit bleak from an elevational standpoint.” The approval requires the developer to integrate textured materials from the clubhouse into residential buildings and implement solar control solutions.
  
• Bottom line: Monday’s meeting was the final architectural review opportunity under the city’s three-hearing limit for residential projects, meaning a denial would have triggered a council appeal where design concerns could be overlooked. The project now advances to the plan check phase.

Dive deeper with our full story

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Queer Colon Care Collective
5 p.m. | Virtual
This support group is open to LGBTQ+ colorectal cancer patients, survivors, or caregivers. Organizers will offer resources and a sense of community in a safe place to share experiences. 

Council, Boards, Commissions Meeting
5 p.m. | Convention Center
The Palm Springs City Council holds its annual meeting with all members of all boards and commissions this evening. An appreciation dinner starts at 5 p.m., followed by presentations at about 6 p.m.

Palm Springs Power Baseball
7 p.m. | Palm Springs Stadium
Your Palm Springs Power will take on the Santa Clarita Victory tonight. Tuesday is $3 beer night. ($10)

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Juneteenth Freedom Weekend from Thursday through Saturday. 
  
• Palm Springs AI & Creativity Expo on June 23 at the convention center.
  
• Swim Center Community Meeting on June 26 at 5 p.m.
  
• 2025 All American 4th of July Weekend July 3-5 in Palm Springs.

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Today, we invite you to meet Kaino,  a two-year-old male French bulldog who’s the newest addition to the shelter. Staff at the shelter say he’s very affectionate with new and familiar people.

• Staff also said Kaino is great on leash and has a medium amount of energy so things won’t get too chaotic.

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days except for Mondays (open for intake only) and Thursdays (1 p.m. until 7 p.m.). You can always call the shelter at (760) 416-5718.

• Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here.