D.A. investigates 2 former Palm Springs city employees
The Riverside County District Attorneys’ Office is investigating two former city employees at Palm Springs City Hall.
City Manager David Ready said the investigation actually started a year ago, and city officials have been cooperating with the D.A.’s Office.
KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 first reported on the incident one year ago today; July 14, 2016.
Two former city employees working for the Palm Springs Fleet Maintenance Division are being investigated for inappropriate vehicle repairs, parts procurement, and theft and recovery of a surplus tractor, with the potential value estimated to be $10,000 to $15,000, officers with the Palm Springs Police Department.
News of the investigation resurfaced Tuesday when the D.A.’s Office showed up to City Hall to collect more documents connected to the investigation.
According to John Hall, Spokesman for the DA’s Office, “We are conducting an investigation that is unrelated to the previously charged case. No arrests have been made and no charges filed. Because it is an ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further at this time.”
KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2’s Zak Dahlheimer is looking into the new investigation at Palm Springs City Hall on Friday. He’ll be delivering updates throughout the day as we learn more from investigators.
The previously charged case that Hall is referring to is the Scandal At City Hall.
The Scandal at City Hall involves former mayor of Palm Springs Steve Pougnet and local developers John Wessman and Richard Meaney. The District Attorney’s Office is alleging Meaney and Wessman paid Pougnet bribes of up to $375,000, in exchange for what Hestrin called “political influence” on city development projects while Pougnet was in office. If convicted, Pougnet faces up to 19 years in prison, while both Meaney and Wessman each face up to 12 years in prison.
Special Report: KESQ’s I-Team finds out what’s causing all the delays in the Scandal at City Hall See all of our Scandal at City Hall special reports More: Today’s Top Stories
More: I-Team and Stands for You investigations
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