Investigations put Palm Springs business deals under spotlight
The city of Palm Springs is working to iron out the details of the investigation called for by Mayor Pro Tem Paul Lewin. It will look into the city’s business incentive programs and recent land sales.
“I’m not concerned about the additional review. It’s all open and It’s all public,” said City Manager David Ready.
Ready says the council will talk about establishing a process for the probe at the next council meeting on June 3.
“We’ll have a discussion to revisit all the transactions so everyone has a comfort level and then the question is what expertise do we bring in to look at this and affirm or show inconsistencies,” Ready said.
Ready, who has been city manager for 15 years, is confident the city process will pass with flying colors.
“My first responsibility is when these things happen that they’re done appropriately within the law,” he said.
Meanwhile another, and likely more important investigation into the city is also now in progress, this one conducted by the Fair Political Practices Commission.
Former Palm Springs resident and candidate for city council, Eloise Mohsin, filed two complaints with the FPPC beginning in April, centered on the mayor’s business dealings with developer Richard Meaney, who paid Pougnet at least $200,000 as a consultant.
Mohsin said she watched the mayor’s speech at Wednesday’s council meeting and that the letter from the FPPC couldn’t have come at a better time.
“The mayor was giving a little floor show last night and he didn’t answer any questions. He needs to answer questions,” Mohsin said in a phone interview with News Channel 3. “I’m very pleased today on behalf of the citizens of Palm Springs.”
Mohsin, who ran for city council in 2007 and 2009, has long been a detractor of Pougnet.
In 2009 she pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges for falsifying her address, but says her record has since been expunged.
Mohsin now lives in Berkeley, California but keeps tabs on the politics in Palm Springs.
“He’s grasping at straws and he needs to look in the mirror and own it. For him to be blaming possible candidates, that’s ridiculous,” Mohsin said, referring to Pougnet’s comment at the city council meeting about recent published reports being fueled by political candidates seeking his office.
Mohsin says she has no set plans to return and run for office in the future, but she said it’s not out of the question.
“I do think it’s a possibility but I also think there are some really good honest candidates in Palm Springs.”
Mayor Pougnet did not return our requests for comment or an on-camera interview on the FPPC investigation.
