Calling the accusation “deeply troubling,” a colleague of the Lompoc City Council member facing eight criminal charges has called for the resignation of Stephen “Steve” Bridge.

Councilman Jeremy Ball issued his statement Monday urging Bridge to step down.

“For the good of Lompoc, I believe Councilmember Bridge should resign from office. How can anyone continue to trust leadership when there’s a looming threat of conviction over one of its leaders?” Ball asked in his statement.

“We, as a council, now need to focus on rebuilding public trust. Leadership isn’t just about passing motions or casting votes. It’s about showing the public that their government works, that it can be honest and that it can do better.”

He is the first of the four council members to speak about the allegations against Bridge. Mayor James “Jim” Mosby along with Councilmen Dirk Starbuck and Victor Vega have remained silent.

The City Council last met the night before the criminal complaint was filed in Santa Barbara County Superior Court and is scheduled to next meet at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2.

“This is not what Lompoc should be talking about. We’ve done a lot of good work, and this definitely is the biggest distraction,” Ball told Noozhawk.

Last week, the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint accusing Bridge of committing eight felony crimes. The District Attorney’s Office led the investigation into the allegations.

The dates of the alleged offenses range from February 2024 to June 2025.

The felony charges include four counts of forgery, two counts of grand theft of personal property, fraudulent use of a contractor’s license number and identity theft.

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 this March (in the amount of $4,917), according to the criminal complaint.

In the days after the criminal complaint filing, Bridge has remained mum, although an email purportedly from him has circulated in the community.

The criminal complaint pinpoints one forgery charge as involving a City of Lompoc Rebate Application. 

On Monday morning, Bridge responded to Noozhawk’s request from last week asking about the allegations, saying, “I have been advised that it would be unwise for me to make any comment.

“I will say I believe I am innocent.”

Bridge has been ordered to appear in Superior Court in Santa Maria on Dec. 4 for his arraignment on the charges.

Recognizing the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, Ball said the allegations against a sitting City Council member are the last thing that Lompoc needs.

“While every person deserves a fair trial, public office is not a right. It’s a responsibility,” Ball said. “Public trust is earned. It’s sacred. When it’s broken, we don’t just get to wait and see. We need to act.

“This moment really hurts. I hate to see Lompoc in this negative spotlight. That said, this moment reminds us that leadership is not just a title, it’s a commitment to transparency.”

Bridge was elected in November 2024 to represent District 1, the northern neighborhoods of the city. His term is scheduled to expire in 2028.

“Lompoc is full of hardworking, talented people. People with big hearts. People who give back in so many ways. People who believe in this town’s future. They deserve better,” Ball added.

The council handbook offers little guidance regarding a member facing criminal charges, including those related to city funds: “Council vacancies can arise from death, resignation, relocation outside the city limits, intentional abandonment of office, excessive numbers of unexcused absences, assumption of an incompatible office, acceptance of free passes or discounts from transportation companies, certain felony convictions, willful or corrupt conduct in office, and recall.”

If a council seat became vacant, the remaining four members could make an appointment or hold a special election.