Coachella Mayor Steve Hernandez Pleads Guilty to Felony

UPDATE:

The city released the following statement Wednesday norming, March 25:

The City of Coachella is in the process of filling a mayoral vacancy, following the resignation of Steven Hernandez. The former mayor pleaded guilty to one felony count of conflict of interest.

“While an unfortunate situation for the people involved, the City Council and City staff remain committed to providing the best quality service to our community,” said Interim City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez.

The City Council has 60 days from the vacancy to appoint someone to finish the current mayoral term, which ends in December, or to schedule a special election. The vacancy is an urgent priority, and the council will quickly decide on which action to take.

Hernandez was first elected to the City Council in 2006 and has served as mayor since 2014.

“The City Council recognizes his years of service to the City of Coachella, and as a Council, our focus now is on a smooth transition and continuing to serve our community,” said Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Frank Figueroa.

In his resignation letter, Hernandez wrote, “For two decades, serving the City of Coachella has been the honor of a lifetime. I have always put Coachella first. Today, I have made the difficult decision to bring this matter to a close and conclude my legal challenges in the best interest of my family.

“Together, we delivered lasting results for Coachella.  We transformed our city and strengthened our community. I will always be proud of our accomplishments.

“Now, it is time to begin a new chapter as a private citizen.  On a positive note, I will now have more time to devote to my family.  This is especially true for my daughters as they pursue their education, as well as my wife,  who has fought alongside me throughout 20 years of service.

“This letter serves as my formal resignation as Mayor. Effective March 24, 2026 as per government code 1770.”

In a text message to Uken Report on Wednesday, Hernandez wrote: “I didn’t put this in the letter but this is what it came down too. (sic) And while I would like to continue to fight this out legally, the financial burden is to significant.”

 

Life as Mayor Steve Hernandez Once Knew it is Over

COACHELLA —Mayor Steven Hernandez, who was 23 years old when he was first elated to public office, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, March 24, to a felony conflict-of-interest charge, likely bringing his political career to an abrupt end.

Hernandez pleaded guilty to violating Government Code section 1090, a conflict-of-interest law prohibiting public officials from participating in government contracts in which they have a financial interest.

The plea was entered as part of an agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. Hernandez was sentenced to two years of formal probation and ordered to complete 200 hours of community service. Under California law, a conviction for violating Government Code section 1090 carries a lifetime prohibition from holding public office in the state.

As a result of this conviction, Hernandez is permanently disqualified from serving in any public office in California.

He did not immediately return a phone call from Uken Report on Tuesday.

The conviction stems from Hernandez’s involvement in votes and actions related to a contract between the City of Coachella and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments’ Housing First Program. The remaining charges in the original nine-count indictment, including perjury and additional conflict-of-interest allegations, were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Hernandez was originally indicted by a Riverside County criminal grand jury on October 30, 2025, in case number FEIN2502457.

The prosecution was handled by Riverside County Deputy District Attorney Natasha Sorace.

Until now, Hernandez has been on paid administrative leave from Riverside County where he serves as Chief of staff to Supervisor V, Manuel “Manny” Perez His future with the supervisor’s office was not immediately clear Tuesday.

La Quinta City Councilmember Steve Sanchez, who is challenging Perez in the June primary, had plenty to say about Hernandez’s pleading guilty.

“Public service carries with it a simple but unbreakable obligation: to exercise sound judgment on behalf of the people who fund and trust our government,” Sanchez wrote in an email. “The situation involving Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez has now reached legal resolution. With a felony conflict of interest conviction and the inability to hold public office, the matter is no longer uncertain, it is clear.

“At an earlier stage, one could argue that allowing due process to play out was appropriate. But today, that question has been answered.

“What remains is a responsibility to act.

“Mr. Hernandez has served as Chief of Staff, one of the most senior and influential positions in a Supervisor Perez’s office. This is not a ceremonial role. It is a position that helps guide policy, budgets, and critical decisions that affect hundreds of thousands of residents across Riverside County.

“That level of responsibility requires the highest standard of judgment, credibility, and public trust.

“And it requires that taxpayer dollars be used with discipline and purpose.

“When a position of that magnitude is no longer being fulfilled, and when the underlying circumstances are no longer in question, it is fair for the public to expect alignment between reality and responsibility.

“This is not about revisiting the past, it is about responding appropriately to the present.

“I am calling on Supervisor Manny Perez to take the next step forward: to ensure that the operation of his office reflects the standards the public expects, to safeguard the responsible use of taxpayer funds, and to reaffirm that leadership decisions are guided by accountability and trust.

“As Marcus Aurelius wrote, ‘Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.’

“The path forward is clear.

“And the public is watching.’