Pretrial Proceedings Start for Ex-Mayor, Developer Accused in Bribery Scheme

Reporter may have to testify in ex-Palm Springs mayor Pougnet's bribery trial

A judge ruled Wednesday that a former Desert Sun reporter can be required to testify in the corruption trial of an ex-mayor and developer.

Jury selection has begun for the trial of former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, who is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for supporting projects for two developers between 2012 and 2014. They will return to court on May 15 and if found guilty, the former mayor could face 19 years in prison, while one of the developers could spend 12 years in prison and the other who pleaded guilty will be sentenced in June. The post Jury selection has b…

Pretrial Proceedings Start for Ex-Mayor, Developer Accused in Bribery Scheme

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) - Pretrial motions got underway today ahead of jury selection for the trial of one-time Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet and a real estate developer, stemming from an alleged scheme to buy off the mayor to ensure his support for the businessman's projects. Pougnet, 62, and John Elroy Wessman, 86, were criminally charged, for the first time, in 2017. They were indicted by a Riverside County grand jury two years later, along…