Developer John Wessman found not guilty in bribery case involving former Palm Springs mayor

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.

Wessman, 86, was acquitted on nine counts of bribery and one count of conspiracy. He had been accused of paying Pougnet more than $200,000 to secure city support for downtown redevelopment projects between 2012 and 2014.

The case, which first came to light after an FBI raid on Palm Springs City Hall in 2015, unfolded over nearly a decade and included a 2017 criminal filing, a 2019 grand jury indictment, and repeated delays due to legal challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other procedural setbacks.

Prosecutors alleged that Wessman and fellow developer Richard Meaney paid Pougnet through sham consulting payments, effectively placing the mayor on their payroll during his time in office. They argued the payments were intended to sway Pougnet’s support for key projects such as the Desert Fashion Plaza redevelopment and the Kimpton Rowan Hotel.

Wessman denied any wrongdoing and testified that he had no knowledge of any improper payments to Pougnet, asserting that he had paid Meaney for legitimate consulting services. The defense characterized Meaney—who testified for the prosecution — as a manipulative figure who acted independently.

Pougnet and Meaney both pleaded guilty to charges related to the case. Pougnet admitted to more than 20 felonies, including bribery, conflict of interest and conspiracy, while Meaney accepted a misdemeanor plea in exchange for probation.

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

Wessman, one of Palm Springs’ most influential developers, is credited with spearheading the city’s downtown revitalization, including projects such as the Kimpton Rowan Hotel. His work helped transform what had been a long-vacant mall into a key piece of the city’s tourism economy.

The case, once a federal investigation before being handed to Riverside County prosecutors in 2016, became a symbol of both the opportunities and risks of public-private redevelopment partnerships. It also raised broader questions about ethics and transparency in local government.

Pougnet served as mayor from 2007 to 2015. His sentencing later this summer is expected to bring the sprawling case to a close.

---