Poway councilman facing recall election charged with bribery, perjury

Prosecutors filed multiple felony charges Friday against a Poway city councilman, two of them connected to key city votes.

Councilman Tony Blain, who already is facing recall in the city’s Nov. 4 special election, is charged with two counts of bribery, in addition to perjury and destruction or removal of a public record, according to a criminal complaint filed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.

The bribery counts against Blain, identified in the filing under his full name, Arthur Anthony Blain IV, pertain to allegations of vote trading to determine city council roles.

In the complaint, prosecutors accuse Blain of agreeing to vote in favor of appointing Councilmember Peter De Hoff as deputy mayor in exchange for “De Hoff’s vote in favor of holding a special election, rather than making an appointment, to fill a council seat vacancy.”

Blain is charged both with soliciting a bribe in general and from a member of a legislative body of a city.

He also is accused of perjuring himself on Sept. 24, 2024, in a sworn complaint to the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission. Prosecutors contend he “falsely represented in said sworn complaint that he was a current city councilman in the City of Poway prior to having been elected to that position.”

Blain was elected to represent Poway’s District 2 in the November 2024 general election.

He also, prosecutors contend, sometime between Dec. 7, 2024 and the middle of last month, “knowingly destroyed communications relating to city business that were subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act and took affirmative steps to evade compliance with that Act.”

The fifth charge, petty theft, is a misdemeanor count related to the alleged theft of a campaign sign.

Mayor Steve Vaus said he was “not at all surprised” by the charges against Blain, some of which stem from the aftermath of former Councilman Brian Pepin’s resignation. Councilman Christopher Pikus was ultimately appointed to the seat.

“These are very serious charges, and while it’s a difficult moment for the city, our commitment to integrity and transparency won’t waver,” he said.

Blain did not return a call seeking comment; the District Attorney’s Office also did not respond to a query regarding the case.

In January, Blain said in a statement that accusations regarding emails allegedly sent to De Huff were part of an effort “to defame an extremely popular newly elected councilmember.”

Voters in Poway sought Blain’s removal from office, a campaign that resulted in Blain’s council colleagues voting 4-0 in August to call a special election. Vaus said District 2 voters shouldn’t let the criminal charges dissuade them from casting their ballots.

“The recall really is more important than ever,” Vaus said.