Southern California mayor indicted on perjury, conflict of interest charges

A Southern California mayor has been indicted on nine counts related to conflicts of interest and perjury, officials announced on Thursday.

The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office said Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez was indicted on one felony count of conflict of interest related to government contracts, four felony counts of perjury and four misdemeanor counts of conflicts of interest related to governmental decisions.

The conflict of interest charge was tied to a vote Herndanez made to approve a contract between the city of Coachella and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments’ Housing First Program, as well as votes advocating related downtown Coachella development projects.

The DA’s Office said that the perjury charges were tied to Hernandez’s claims on his Statement of Economic Interests public disclosure forms.

The DA’s Office did not specify any benefits Hernandez received or would receive from his actions.

The 42-year-old mayor pleaded not guilty to all nine charges against him during his arraignment on Thursday.

Hernandez surrendered to Riverside County Sheriff’s Department officials on Tuesday and posted bail set at $112,500.

If convicted as currently charged, Hernandez would be barred for life from ever holding public office and face over seven years in state prison, the DA’s Office said.

Hernandez has served as Mayor of Coachella for over 13 years and was first elected to the City Council at age 23. His current term was set to end in December 2026.

A trial readiness conference is scheduled for Feb. 23.