The mayor of the Southern California city of Coachella, Steven Hernandez, pleaded not guilty on Oct. 30 to one felony count of conflict of interest relating to government contracts, four felony counts of perjury, and four misdemeanor counts of conflicts of interest relating to governmental decisions.
Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said in a statement issued Oct. 30, that the conflict-of-interest charges relate to Hernandez’s vote to approve a contract between the City of Coachella and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments’ Housing First Program, as well as his votes and advocacy related to downtown Coachella development projects.
“The perjury charges relate to claims made by Hernandez on his Statement of Economic Interests public disclosure forms, also known as the Form 700,” the statement reads.
If convicted as currently charged, Hernandez would be barred for life from ever holding public office and face over seven years in state prison, according to the DA’s office.
Hernandez, 42, surrendered to Riverside County Sheriff officials at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on Oct. 28 and was released on $112,500 bail later that day.
Hernandez pleaded not guilty to all charges. A trial readiness conference is scheduled for Feb. 23. The case number is FEIN2502457.
“The City is aware of allegations made regarding Coachella Mayor Steven A. Hernandez and the City’s administration is fully cooperating with authorities,” the city of Coachella told the Epoch Times in an email.
The mayor made news headlines about a year ago when he criticized President Donald Trump for planning a rally in Coachella.
On Oct. 21, a Coachella city employee was arrested on felony charges of embezzlement, and asking for and receiving bribes, according to jail records.
Cesar Lucrecio Rosales, 55, was arrested and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center. His bail was set at $300,000. Rosales is scheduled to appear in court at the Larson Justice Center on Dec. 8.
