The attorney for Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez has entered not guilty pleas on her behalf for two misdemeanor counts of conflict of interest.

H.A. Sala said outside the courtroom on Wednesday that he’d like the charges dropped against his client, who voted against a ban on commercial cannabis last year while her husband was working as a marijuana lobbyist. Sala claims she’s being treated differently than other local politicians who’ve been accused of conflicts of interest, particularly Bakersfield City Councilman Bob Smith. Perez is also accused of not filling out the proper campaign finance forms.

Perez was not required to be in court because she’s charged with misdemeanors.

Kelli Pierce