FPPC Fines Former Coachella Valley Councilor

Former Coachella Valley Councilor from Indian Wells Fined

A former Coachella Vally City Councilor from Indian Wells has been fined $200 by the California Fair Political Practices Commission for violating Government Code Section 84305.

Edward “Ty” Peabody, who served on the council from 2012 to 2020, including stints as mayor, received the fine for failing to include the proper disclosures on a mass electronic mailing, in violation of Government Code, according to the FPPC.

Peabody is a businessman whose wife owns Don Diego’s restaurant in Indian Wells, date to the early 2000s.

This is not the first time Peabody has been in the headlines. In August 2024, City Manager Chris Freeland directed City Councilmember Peabody not to interact with City Clerk Angelica Avila following a situation in which Peabody allegedly attempted to get his paperwork for City Council processed. Read his letter here: https://ukenreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/City-Letter-to-Peabody-2024.pdf

Peabody, who termed out of office in 2024, and Former City Councilmember Doug Hanson have sued the City of Indian Wells trying to get on the Nov. 5 ballot so each can seek a four-year term on the Council.  Both men simultaneously filed paperwork for office on July 18. Both men have previously served two four-year terms and are not eligible to run because of the city’s term-limit ordinance.

The court eventually ruled in favor of the city.