Developer Richard Meaney Sentenced to One Year Probation in Palm Springs Bribery Case

After more than a decade of legal proceedings, the bribery case involving former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pugnet has come to a close. Developer Richard Meaney was sentenced Monday at the Hall of Justice in downtown Riverside, ending a lengthy investigation that tied together city officials and developers in a scheme involving downtown projects.

As part of a plea agreement reached in 2023, Meaney pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of financial conflict of interest in a government contract. On Monday, he was sentenced to one year of summary probation.

Prosecutors alleged that Meaney acted as the middleman between developer John Westman and Pugnet, facilitating a bribery scheme aimed at gaining city support for key downtown Palm Springs development projects.

Outside the courthouse, Meaney’s attorney, Peter Scalise, said the conclusion of the case was a relief for his client. “He’s been living with this for years, and it’s caused him great anguish and pain with regard to his business,” Scalise said. “He’s lost a tremendous amount of business. But now that this is behind him, he’s feeling much better. He just wants to get on with his life.”

Scalise added that Meaney deeply regrets his involvement, saying his client was motivated by the prospect of business opportunities with Westman.

The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office issued a statement after the sentencing, stressing the importance of public trust. “Bribery cases like this one can be difficult cases, but the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office values the importance of the public trust,” the statement read. “The community needs to know that this district attorney and our public integrity unit will always advocate on their behalf.”

This sentencing marks the end of a case that has spanned years and has had a lasting impact on Palm Springs city politics.

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