Three accused in Palm Springs City Hall scandal to return to court in March 2018
The attorneys for former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet and two Coachella Valley developers were at the Indio courthouse Wednesday for a felony settlement conference.
John Wessman, 78, and Richard Meaney, 51, are accused of paying Pougnet, 54, around $375,000 between 2012 and 2014 so that he’d vote favorably when their development projects came before the city council.
They pleaded not guilty last month to the numerous bribery and perjury charges.
None of the defendants were in court Wednesday.
INTERACTIVE TIMELINE: Scandal at City Hall
A judge ruled the next court date will be on March 23, 2018.
Defense attorneys asked the judge for more time to review new evidence that they’ll be receiving from the FBI.
READ: I-Team investigates delays in Scandal at City Hall case
If convicted on all counts, Pougnet could face up to 19 years in state prison and be barred for life from holding public office; Meaney and Wessman could each face a maximum of 12 years behind bars.
More: I-Team and Stands for You investigations
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