Steve Pougnet hires attorney who specializes in white collar crime

Mayor Steve Pougnet has hired a Sacramento lawyer, who specializes in white collar criminal investigations that include civil and criminal fraud litigation, tax fraud, and other complex civil litigation.

Attorney Malcolm Segal, based in Sacramento, confirmed to KESQ/CBS Local 2 Wednesday afternoon that he is representing the Mayor. He would not state when he was hired by Pougnet just that someone recommended that the Mayor contact Segal about the investigation.

“Steve Pougnet is committed to fully cooperating with the inquiry,” says Segal. “I have made contact with the authorities and I hope the process will be as swift as possible. The people of Palm Springs deserve that.”

Segal added, “Frankly no one likes to hear how the sausage is made. The way cases like these proceed, is we try to be as helpful and cooperative with the government. We don’t want to interfere with that process and so the transparency first has to be with the authorities and then when we feel comfortable talking to the press or the public, we will do so. “

Segal would not elaborate on the investigation or the items seized from the Mayor during Tuesday’s raid of city hall.