Council Members Seek to Censure Mayor Steven Hernandez

COACHELLA — Members of the City Council have asked to have a censure of the beleaguered Mayor Steven Hernandez added to the agenda of the next meeting agenda, which will be in December.

Council members Frank Figueroa and Yadira Perez are leading the charge, City Manager Bill Pattison confirmed Thursday morning that he will meet with the city attorney next week to draft censure documents. The censure is designed to put the City Council on record as condemning the alleged actions of the longtime mayor.

The details and severity of the censure would be worked out by the City Council.

It could prove to be an interesting vote as Mayor Pro Tem Denise Delgado would likely have to recuse herself after serving as a witness to the grand jury. Council member Stephanie Virgen would likely have to recuse herself because Hernandez is her supervisor in Perez’s office.

Figueroa could not immediately be reached for comment

Hernandez was reportedly not feeling well and did not attend Wednesday night’s City Council meeting.

Hernandez, 42, was arrested in October after a grand jury indicted him on one felony count of conflict of interest, four felony counts of perjury, and four misdemeanor counts of conflict of interest. Hernandez, who is a Riverside County employee and works chief of staff for Supervisor V. Manuel Perez has been placed on paid administrative leave 

 

 

 

Image Sources

  • Censure: Shutterstock