Coachella Council Meets Tonight; Mayor Stephen Hernandez Absent From Agenda After Arrest

The city of Coachella holds its first council meeting tonight since Mayor Stephen Hernandez was arrested and charged with nine criminal counts tied to perjury and conflict of interest, five of which are felonies. Despite the high-profile case, Hernandez is not on the council’s public agenda, and he is not expected to attend, according to a written statement from the city.

Hernandez and his attorney have not issued public comment since last month’s court appearance. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office has not provided new updates. Court records indicate Hernandez’s next hearing is set for February 23 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

The perjury counts stem from alleged false statements on economic interest forms meant to disclose income, investments, and potential conflicts. Forms filed August 1, 2024, and obtained by our newsroom include Schedule A1 and A2 investment disclosures and a Schedule B listing real property. The filings report gross income from an entity called Puro Coachella LLC, described as a real estate investment, along with four other Coachella properties, including a residence on Calle Camacho referenced in the indictment. Reported gross income for each entity ranged from $499 to $10,000, while the stated fair market values ranged from $100,000 to $1 million.

If convicted, Hernandez could face more than seven years in state prison and a permanent ban from holding public office.

Tonight’s agenda does include a closed-session item titled anticipated litigation, though the city has not confirmed any connection to the mayor’s case. The regular council meeting starts at 6 p.m. at Coachella City Hall. NBC Palm Springs will monitor proceedings and any developments from the city and courts as the case moves forward.

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