Judge Finds Fuhrman in Violation of Plea Agreement

A Riverside Superior Court judge today ruled that former Menifee City Council member Tom Fuhrman is in violation of the terms of a plea agreement he reached last year when pleading guilty to four counts of misconduct.

While confirming today's ruling, John Hall of the Riverside County District Attorney's Office said court records do not detail the nature of the violation. However, he said Fuhrman was sentenced today on the four counts to which he pleaded guilty in July 2015 and will be placed on felony formal probation for three years.

In the original plea agreement, Fuhrman pleaded guilty to a felony count of conflict of interest pertaining to actions taken as a city council member regarding issues in which he had a financial interest. He also entered guilty pleas to three misdemeanor counts related to accusations he attempted to use his official position to influence a governmental decision.

Under the terms of the July 27, 2015 agreement, Fuhrman was ordered to serve 100 hours of community service, which he completed, Hall said. His sentence was set ahead one year to July 27, 2016, when it would be determined whether Fuhrman had completed the conditions of his plea agreement. Had the DA's office dismissed the felony count at that time, Fuhrman would've been placed on three years of summary (misdemeanor) probation, Hall said. Now, because the court determined he violated the terms of the agreement, he was placed on the more serious three years of formal probation for the felony conviction.

Reached by phone today, Fuhrman said the ruling of a violation is based on the fact he continues to run his horse ranch in Menifee without a business license -- a right he believes he has through his interpretation of the city's code regarding agricultural property. According to Fuhrman, the fact the Menifee City Council on Feb. 3 denied him a business license exemption led to the court's ruling today that he is in violation of his plea agreement.

"In the plea bargain, I agreed not to violate any city ordinance," Fuhrman said. "Since I lost the appeal with the city and they determined I need a business license, they're saying that violates the agreement."

Fuhrman contends that his Wooden Nickel Ranch qualifies for a business license exemption under the section of the code that allows such for a property used for agricultural purposes. In the past, his ranch has also been used for weddings, Scout activities, Civil War re-enactments and other activities.

Fuhrman said he has an April 13 court date in which a Superior Court judge will determine if his ranch qualifies for such an exemption. Hall could not confirm that court appearance.

"They're not recognizing my agricultural qualifications for operating a horse ranch," Fuhrman said. "They're saying I'm not exempt.

"I have a list of about 40 other horse ranches in the area, and none of them have business licenses. If the judge says I need a business license, I guess everybody who has a horse ranch will have to get one."