Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez has pleaded guilty to one felony count of violating a conflict-of-interest law that prohibits public officials from participating in government contracts in which they have a financial interest.
The charge 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 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.
As part of the plea agreement, the remaining charges in the original nine-count indictment, including perjury and additional conflict-of-interest allegations, were dismissed.
Hernandez was originally indicted by a Riverside County criminal grand jury on October 30, 2025.
