Ex-mayor admits to accepting bribes totaling $375,000 to support developers’ projects; sentencing set for July 2.
Former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet has pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges in a long-standing bribery case involving local developers and city-backed projects.
On May 14, 2025, in Riverside County Superior Court, Pougnet, 62, entered a plea agreement that included:
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Nine counts of bribery by a public official
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Eight counts of holding a financial interest in public contracts
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One count of conspiracy
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No contest to three counts of perjury
The plea was submitted directly to the judge without a negotiated agreement from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, which objected to the terms, citing a breach of public trust.
Pougnet, who served as mayor from 2007 to 2015, was accused of accepting at least $375,000 in bribes from developers John Wessman and Richard Meaney between 2012 and 2014. In return, he allegedly supported their development projects, including the downtown revitalization and the Kimpton hotel.
The case gained national attention following an FBI raid on Palm Springs City Hall in 2015. Pougnet, Wessman, and Meaney were indicted by a Riverside County grand jury in 2019.
Co-Defendants’ Status
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Richard Meaney: Pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor conflict-of-interest charge and is scheduled for sentencing in June 2025.
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John Wessman: His case is ongoing, with jury selection resuming this week.
Sentencing and Implications
Pougnet is scheduled to be sentenced on July 2, 2025. While the District Attorney’s Office opposed the plea deal, the judge has indicated a potential sentence of three years’ probation.
This case underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in public office. The community awaits the final sentencing to see the full repercussions of these actions.
Image Caption: Steve Pougnet’s booking photo following his arrest in the bribery case.
For more detailed information, refer to the official press release from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.
