UPDATE (4/2/26): Several more witnesses took the stand Thursday during the now days-long preliminary hearing for Lompoc councilmember Stephen Bridge.
Bridge has denied multiple charges he's facing tied to fraud and the misuse of funds for money collected from city rebates.
His sons, Brandon Bridge and Scott Turner, testified again along with the City of Lompoc's utilities conservation coordinator and a district attorney investigator.
Questions about the City's rebate process, how applications are checked and money paid out were asked, along with recordings of separate conversations the investigator had with Bridge and one of his sons.
The hearing is set to continue the afternoon of April 23 when the judge could rule on whether the case against Bridge will move forward to trial.
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UPDATE (3/23/26): Day three of the preliminary hearing for Stephen Bridge took place Monday. Bridge's son, Brandon Bridge, was back on the stand, questioned about subpoenas, the businesses he's involved with, interactions he had with his father and others during and after the work, along with invoices and declarations submitted.
His testimony did not conclude.
Brandon Bridge and others were asked to return to court for the continuance of the preliminary hearing on April 2.
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UPDATE (3/20/26): Two of Bridge's sons were called to the stand on Friday afternoon. They did not finish testifying and were ordered to return to court for the continued preliminary hearing on Monday at 1:30 p.m.
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ORIGINAL STORY: A judge in Lompoc heard evidence Thursday in the criminal case against Lompoc City Councilmember Stephen Bridge, who is facing multiple charges related to alleged fraud, misuse of funds, and questionable invoices.
During the preliminary hearing, the court heard testimony and reviewed business records, rebate applications, and invoices connected to projects at the Odd Fellows Lodge and Certain Sparks Music.
The treasurer of the Odd Fellows Lodge testified about repairs made to the building, including flooring, lighting, and plumbing. The treasurer said the lodge reimbursed Bridge for project-related costs.
The court also reviewed documents presented during the treasurer's testimony, including project estimates, invoices, and defense exhibits describing repairs, reimbursements, and a city rebate connected to the work.
Randall Sena, who co-owns Certain Sparks Music with Bridge’s son, Brandon, testified about documents connected to the business. Sena said Brandon Bridge prepared one of the documents.
Prosecutors focused on who controlled the paperwork and how those records were put together. They worked to trace who did the work, who submitted the documents, and where the money went by reviewing rebate paperwork, checks, and multiple invoices connected to lighting and repair projects.
The preliminary hearing will continue on Friday. The judge will then decide whether there is enough evidence for the case to move forward to a trial.
