City officials again demand DA supply evidence in councilmember residency dispute ⋆ The Palm Springs Post

City Councilmember Christy Holstege speaks during a recent Council meeting.

Palm Springs officials are demanding evidence from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office regarding allegations that Councilmember Christy Holstege does not reside in her district. The city said Friday it has has made repeated requests for substantiation of the claims, which Holstege firmly denies.

During a closed session meeting Thursday, the Palm Springs City Council instructed city staff to formally request, once again, that the District Attorney’s Office provide any evidence related to this matter.

On Friday, City Attorney Jeffrey Ballinger expressed disappointment in a letter to District Attorney Michael Hestrin, stating, “It is disappointing that your office refused the city’s request to obtain, or even review, the evidence that your office has relied on in reaching your legal conclusions.”

Ballinger pointed out that a letter from the DA on Aug. 23 had explicitly offered to allow review of relevant evidence pertaining to their investigation.

“Given that your office has apparently already expended significant public resources in pursuit of your investigation, your office’s refusal to share the resulting evidence with a fellow public agency from which you are demanding action seems like an extraordinarily inefficient use of public resources,” Ballinger wrote.

The city said it remains committed to transparency and due process in resolving the matter, however, “Without such evidence, the City of Palm Springs is unable to assess the validity of the claims.”

Holstege, who is currently a candidate for a seat in the State Assembly representing District 47, has adamantly expressed that she resides in her district and accused the DA of playing political games. The city said it respects her right to due process and expects that any claims made against elected officials be supported by verifiable evidence for any further action to be taken.

Ballinger indicated that if the DA’s office continues to refuse to share the requested evidence, the city intends to seek formal guidance from the California Attorney General’s Office. However, he clarified that the city would not be seeking an investigation or doing one of its own.