Attorney: Suspect in City Hall corruption case wants to go on “trip abroad”, won’t flee for good
For the first time since October, an update in the Scandal at City Hall saga. The attorneys for John Wessman, Richard Meaney, and Steve Pougnet appeared in court at the Larson Justice Center in Indio today, and a new court date has been set for the case.
The felony settlement conference for Wessman, Meaney, and Pougnet is set for June 29 at 1:30 p.m.
John Wessman, a Coachella Valley developer, and Richard Meaney, an area businessman, are accused of paying former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet around $375,000 between 2012 and 2014 in order to curry favor and earn his vote on their development projects when they came before the city council.
During today’s hearing, the prosecution pushed for a preliminary hearing date to be set, but nothing was locked down. The judge also commented that the trial needs to move along faster during the hearing.
More: The Scandal at City Hall Interactive Timeline
The prosecution also brought up concerns that the defendants will flee the country to Europe, while the defense emphasized that their clients would be in court for their next appearance and that they should have their passports returned to them.
John Wessman’s attorney specifically asked for the return of his client’s passport because of an upcoming planned monthlong trip to Italy for a bicycle tour.
“In the interim, while what is anticipated to be a lengthy discovery process advances, Mr. Wessman wishes to take a limited trip abroad with close friends and family,” the motion for the passport return states.
Attorney Elliot R. Peters’ motion says Wessman would provide the court with a “detailed itinerary upon booking the trip, with full details regarding his schedule, lodging, transfers, travel companions and all local contact information.”
Deputy District Attorney Amy Barajas expressed concerned that the trip could provide Wessman an opportunity to flee from prosecution, arguing that setting bail for such a matter presented a “unique situation” in regards to Wessman’s financial status.
“Is there an amount that really would ensure his return?” Barajas asked.Attorneys discussed the possibility of Wessman posting his Coachella Valley home instead of bail to ensure his return, though Peters assured Superior Court Judge Harold W. Hopp that he need not be concerned with Wessman becoming a flight risk.
“The idea that he’s just going to become a fugitive, without any suggestion that there’s any reason to believe that’s the case — I think that’s just an unfair speculation,” Peters said, citing court appearances his client had made since the case was filed in February 2017.
Hopp did not rule on the motion. Attorneys will return to court on Wednesday to further discuss the travel request.
Payments to Pougnet were allegedly drawn directly from accounts maintained by Meaney’s Union Abbey Co. and Wessman Development Inc. Court papers allege the developers paid Pougnet through shell companies for consulting work that was never performed.
Prosecutors allege that the bribes were tied to several council votes on downtown properties, including the Dakota gated community, Desert Fashion Plaza, the Kimpton Hotel and the Vivante retirement housing development.
“There was very strong evidence that Mr. Meaney and Mr. Wessman were buying the mayor’s (vote),” District Attorney Mike Hestrin said when the charges were announced last year. “They had a lot to gain from his actions on the (city) council.”
All three defendants remain free on $25,000 bail and are slated to return to court June 29 for a felony settlement conference.
The last time the Wessman, Pougnet, and Meaney appeared in court was October 6, when the three appeared to enter not guilty pleas.
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