A member of the Lompoc City Council has been charged with eight felony crimes including forgery and grand theft through embezzlement, the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday.
Stephen “Steve” Bridge, who was elected in November 2024 to represent District 1, the northern neighborhoods of the city, has been named in the criminal complaint filed in Superior Court.
The charges include counts alleging fraudulent use of a contractor’s license number and identity theft.
“The allegations involve the misuse of City of Lompoc funds and conduct related to a city rebate program,” the District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
The dates of the alleged offenses range from February 2024 to June 2025.
Bridge allegedly committed grand theft of personal property from the City of Lompoc in March 2024 (in the amount of $5,076.66) and again in March 2025 (in the amount of $4,917), according to the criminal complaint.
The charges allege that Bridge committed forgery on Feb. 10, 2024 when he submitted an invoice “purportedly from ‘Turner Construction’ to Oddfellows.”
On Oct. 11, 2024, another alleged forgery occurred when Bridge submitted an invoice from Turner Construction to Certain Sparks.
The councilman’s son, Brandon Bridge, who serves on the Planning Commission, operates Certain Sparks Music.
Another charge alleges a March 14, 2025 forgery due to an invoice purportedly from Turner Construction which was submitted to BBES.
Bridge also is accused of fraudulent use of a contractor’s number, using one assigned to Turner and Associates, plus identity theft for using a contractor’s license belonging to Turner and Associates without consent.
The most recent incident listed in the criminal complaint occurred June 25, 2025, and Bridge is accused of forgery related to a City of Lompoc rebate application.
“We are aware of the charges filed against Mr. Bridge today,” Lompoc officials said Wednesday. “‘The city will continue to work with the District Attorney’s office throughout the investigation.
“The city has no other comments at this time.”
Bridge has been sent a letter to appear in court for the charges. He is not currently in jail custody.
He did not respond to a request for comment.
The criminal complaint’s filing occurred the day after the City Council met Tuesday night and the panel’s next regularly scheduled meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2.
He is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on Dec. 4 in Santa Maria Superior Court, Department 9.