Case Explained: Lompoc Councilmember Resists Calls to Resign as Criminal Case Proceeds – Legal Perspective

Did Lompoc City Councilmember Steve Bridge risk his political career and personal reputation to steal a little less than $10,000 in public funds? Or were the strange payments made through one of his businesses simply the result of sloppy paperwork?

These are the questions a Santa Barbara County jury will decide if Bridge goes to trial on the 10 felony counts of theft and fraud that the District Attorney’s Office has charged him with. A judge will rule this week if there is enough evidence against Bridge for the case to move beyond its preliminary hearing stage, where prosecutors present a summary of their arguments.

Meanwhile, Bridge remains an active member of the Lompoc City Council, voting on matters such as sewer code enforcement and a sales tax increase. Members of the public and one of Bridge’s colleagues, Councilmember Jeremy Ball, have demanded that he resign, but he has refused to do so and maintains his innocence. “Right now, it feels like the people of Lompoc are being asked to just live with something that clearly is not right,” Ball stated in an open letter this week, “and that wears on people.”

“I have not committed any crime,” Bridge declared at a recent meeting. “I believe in the American justice system, and I’m confident that through the court process, I will be found not guilty.” At another recent meeting, several members of the Lompoc High School debate team called on him to step down. Shortly thereafter, Councilmember Dirk Starbuck made light of Bridge’s criminal charges, referring to himself as Juror No. 1.

The case against Bridge hinges on lighting, plumbing, and other construction work ostensibly carried out by two of his sons at three separate locations ― the International Order of Odd Fellows, Certain Sparks Music, and one of Bridge’s personal properties on San Miguelito Road. Bridge and his defense team maintain the work was done informally but lawfully.

Prosecutors, however, allege Bridge illegally obtained approximately $10,000 in city rebate funds through forged documents, the unauthorized use of an expired contractor’s license, and fraudulent rebate submissions tied to several of his business entities. Investigators say the documents were submitted between February 2024 and June 2025, and it appeared Bridge tried to launder the money through one of his companies.

During the multi-day preliminary hearing, Bridge’s sons ― Brandon Bridge, a member of the Lompoc Planning Commission and co-owner of Certain Sparks Music, and Scott Turner, an unlicensed contractor ― were called to testify. In a highly unusual move, both were appointed attorneys and granted limited immunity amid questioning from prosecutors that raised their own potential legal issues.

Brandon Bridge spent much of his time on the witness stand evading questions and verbally sparring with prosecutor Brian Cota. He frequently paused the proceedings to pour and drink water, and at one point became so unresponsive that it prompted Cota to ask him, “Are you on something right now?” Brandon maintained he was not under the influence.

Brandon confirmed that he had drafted a legal challenge to the subpoenas seeking records from Certain Sparks Music and the International Order of Odd Fellows, calling the orders “very broad.” This raised concerns whether he had unlawfully represented himself as an attorney and obstructed law enforcement. 

Scott Turner found himself in legal hot water when he admitted on the stand that he had been paid by his father for the construction work, which he said included digging up approximately 100 feet of leaky pipe, at the same time he was trying to obtain disability benefits. Cota also asked Turner if the rebate payments were made to his father’s company, and not him directly, so he could avoid court-ordered wage garnishment over missed child support payments.

In his open letter, Councilmember Ball said he had asked city staff to present options for formal action against Bridge, including possible censure or reassignment of Bridge’s committee responsibilities. “In other words, I asked that we at least have a public conversation about how to protect the integrity of the institution while this situation unfolds,” he said.

The preliminary hearing will continue Thursday, April 2, in the Santa Maria division of Santa Barbara Superior Court.