Pougnet was born in Flint, Michigan. Pougnet earned his Bachelor of Arts in business from Michigan State University in 1985 and was elected to the Palm Springs City Council in 2003.[2] In 2017, he was accused of receiving $375,000 in bribes from John Wessman and Richard Meany, land and property developers of the Palm Springs area.[3] Pougnet is currently awaiting arraignment on corruption charges.[4] He is free on $25,000 bail.[4] On May 14, 2025 in Banning, California Pougnet, 62, plead guilty to eight counts each of accepting bribes and illicit financial interest in public contracts and one count of conspiracy. He pleaded no contest to the three counts of perjury, the District Attorney's office confirmed. He was sentenced on July 2, 2025 to two years probation and ordered to pay $325,000 in restitution to the City of Palm Springs.
Positions held
Vice Chairman of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG)
Chairman of the Energy & Water Conservation Subcommittee
Vice Chairman of the CVAG Energy and Environment Committee
Vice Chairman of Sunline Transit Agency, the region’s public transportation management organization
Board Member of the Palm Springs Desert Resort Convention Visitors Authority
Member of the Riverside County Transportation Commission.
Riverside County Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee.
Mayor of Palm Springs until bribery charges were brought against him. He currently faces 21 felony counts, including perjury, public corruption and conspiracy.
Family
Pougnet is openly gay.[5] He married Christopher Green in 2008, and they have two twin children named Beckham and Julia.[2]
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