May 15 Daily Briefing: Former mayor enters plea, pickleball court agreement, theater ending run, and more

Happy Thursday, where we’re here to tell you about another opportunity to help shape the city. Officials are asking residents, business owners, and visitors to fill out brief surveys that will shape the Palm Springs Economic Development Strategic Plan, targeting community needs and growth opportunities. The business owner survey can be found here, and the community survey is available here. The deadline to participate is June 1.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen

LEADING OFF

Former Palm Springs mayor pleads guilty in bribery scheme

Former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet has admitted to accepting bribes in exchange for supporting specific real estate development projects in the city. The 62-year-old pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges including bribery, conspiracy, and holding prohibited financial interests in public contracts.

Driving the news: Pougnet entered guilty pleas to 17 counts and no contest pleas to three perjury charges, according to a statement Wednesday by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office provided to local media.

• A spokesperson with the DA’s office told KESQ Channel 3 that the plea deal was arranged through the court rather than negotiated with prosecutors, who opposed the agreement. He added that the judge signaled Pougnet could be sentenced to just three years of probation.

By the numbers: Prosecutors allege developers paid Pougnet at least $375,000 between 2012 and 2014 to secure his support for various projects, including the Kimpton hotel and downtown revitalization efforts.

The big picture: The case involves two other defendants. Developer John Wessman, 86, was indicted alongside Pougnet by a Riverside County grand jury in 2019.

• Richard Meaney, 59, another Coachella Valley developer involved in the scheme, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of financial conflict involving a government contract.

What’s next: Meaney remains out on bond and is scheduled to be sentenced in June, while Wessman’s case continues with jury selection possibly resuming today.

Dive deeper with our complete story

---

BRIEFLY

🏗️ Council approves creation of temporary pickleball courts

The Palm Springs City Council approved a plan Wednesday to create temporary pickleball courts at College of the Desert property while the permanent facilities at Demuth Park undergo an eight-month expansion.

• The agreement will convert three vacant tennis courts into 12 pickleball courts at the college’s temporary campus on East Baristo Road, providing an alternative for players during construction at Demuth Park, which is expected to begin this summer and will eventually double the number of courts from 12 to 24.
  
• The city will pay a monthly lease of $1,637 through Nov. 1, when it increases to $1,655 per month, with conversion costs of approximately $75,000 covered by the Parks and Recreation Department’s approved budget.
  
• Details: The temporary facility will have limitations including no public restrooms, street parking only, daytime-only hours due to no lighting, and closures during college exams or special events.

Dive deeper with our complete story

🎓 COD board names Val Martinez Garcia new college president

The College of the Desert Board of Trustees has selected Val Martinez Garcia as the institution’s ninth superintendent/president following a vote during a special meeting on Wednesday evening. He had been serving in the role on an interim basis since last December.

• The board approved the appointment with a 3-2 vote, with trustees Joel Kinnamon, Rubén AríAztlán Pérez and Mary Jane Sanchez-Fulton voting for the appointment and trustees Ron Oden and Mark Meyer voting against.
  
• Up next: Contract details are expected to be finalized and presented for formal approval at a board meeting Friday.

Dive deeper with our complete story

---

TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Nonesuch Book Club
2 p.m. | Palm Springs Public Library
Members of the book club will discuss this month’s pick: “Nuclear War: A Scenario” by Annie Jacobson. May is the last month of their 2024-25 season. Find out how to join the book club here.

Pro Pickleball Showdown
5 p.m. | The Show
Your Coachella Valley Scorpions will go head-to-head against the Seattle Tsunami in a stylish exhibition match in Rancho Mirage. This event will also showcase the Scorpions’ new roster of players. ($18)

Art Museum Free Admission
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum 
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy free admission to galleries and exhibitions, and explore the collection at your own pace. 

Blue Zones Community Kickoff
5:30 p.m. | Festival Theaters
Blue Zones Project Palm Springs welcomes Dan Buettner, Jr. to present the community-crafted blueprint that will drive the project over the next three years.

Measure J Oversight Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
At this month’s meeting, commissioners will discuss a proposed budget for City Council approval. 

Star Wars: A New Hope
6 p.m. | Camelot Theater
Come see the movie that started it all, Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope, on the biggest screen in the Coachella Valley ($14)

VillageFest
6 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs  
Weather permitting, the street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food.

View all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Movie Night in the Park: “Wicked” at Victoria Park on Friday.
  
• “Veils: A Requiem For Trayvon” film screening at the Cultural Center on May 23. ($18)
  
• Memorial Day Air Fair and Flower Drop at the Palm Springs Air Museum on May 26.
  
• Miralon Blood Drive with LifeStream Blood Bank at Miralon on May 30.
  
• 2025 Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week starts May 30.

Submit your event here

---

AND FINALLY …

After 15 years of bringing innovative productions to the Coachella Valley, Desert Ensemble Theatre is preparing to take its final bow, having awarded nearly $40,000 in scholarships while creating a lasting legacy in the local arts community.

Driving the news: The Palm Springs-based theater company announced its upcoming 15th anniversary season will be its final curtain call, with leadership citing economic uncertainty and changing audience patterns as primary factors in the decision.

• The farewell season, running from November of this year through April 2026, will feature four mainstage productions and open with a musical fundraising gala in October.

Behind the curtain: In an interview with The Coachella Valley Independent, Executive Director Shawn Abramowitz and Artistic Director Jerome Elliott Moskowitz pointed to several economic pressures affecting the company’s viability.

• “People are cutting back on their entertainment spending,” Moskowitz explained, adding that government funding for the arts is in jeopardy and many Canadian patrons—a significant portion of their audience—won’t be returning next season.

Looking back: Founded in 2011 by playwright Tony Padilla, the company established itself as a creative hub for original works and earned 66 Desert Theatre League Awards during its tenure.

• The Technical Theatre Internship Program became a cornerstone of its mission, with a final round of scholarships planned for next season.

Looking ahead: Both leaders plan to remain active in the local arts scene, with Moskowitz returning to his cabaret roots and Abramowitz continuing to mentor students and perform.

How to attend: Season subscriptions will become available for renewing subscribers on June 1 and for new subscribers on July 1, with individual show tickets going on sale in September. 

• For more information, call 760-565-2476, or visit this website.