Local & Community
Former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet and Developer John Wessman Could Face Trial This Week
Former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet and developer John Wessman may soon face a jury, nearly a decade after their high-profile arrests.
According to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, their trial is currently scheduled to begin May 1, although it’s important to note that the proceedings have been delayed several times before.
Pougnet, who served as mayor from 2007 to 2015, is accused of accepting payments from Wessman and another developer, Richard Meaney, in exchange for supporting their projects in Palm Springs. Meaney, however, is not part of this trial — he took a plea deal in 2023, pleading guilty to a misdemeanor conflict of interest charge.
The case has lingered in the courts for years, but if no further delays occur, Pougnet and Wessman could finally have their day in court later this week.
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By: NBC Palm Springs
April 28, 2025
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