Riverside County Won’t Cover Sheriff Chad Bianco’s Legal Fees Amid Election Investigation Lawsuits

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors has voted not to cover legal fees for Sheriff Chad Bianco as he faces multiple lawsuits tied to his investigation into the 2025 special election.

In a 4-1 decision following a closed session meeting, supervisors determined the county would not pay for Bianco’s legal defense. Officials say the issue centers on process, noting that Bianco did not seek county approval before hiring outside legal counsel.

The legal controversy stems from Bianco’s investigation into alleged voter fraud, which included the seizure of hundreds of thousands of ballots. That move has prompted lawsuits from local leaders, including Riverside City Council member Clarisa Cervantes and Indio City Council member Oscar Ortiz.

Plaintiffs argue the investigation raises serious legal concerns, citing election codes and input from groups like the UCLA Voting Rights Project and the California Attorney General’s Office.

Some critics claim the investigation was politically motivated, while Bianco has strongly defended his actions. In a statement, he accused state officials of attempting to cover up a lawful investigation into election integrity.

The case has now reached the state level, with the California Supreme Court agreeing to take it up after Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a separate lawsuit.

County officials say the decision to discuss the matter in closed session follows standard legal procedure under the Brown Act, allowing for confidential discussions about legal strategy without increasing costs to taxpayers.

The legal battle surrounding the investigation continues to unfold.

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