Diversion Denied: Ex-Poway Councilman's Perjury Case Proceeds to Trial Track

Former Poway City Councilman Tony Blain, 60, who was charged last year with perjury and soliciting a bribe, will face those charges without the option of mental health treatment in lieu of prosecution. On Monday afternoon, San Diego Superior Court Judge Polly Shamoon denied a motion that would have diverted the case to a supervised treatment program and, upon completion, dismissed the charges against him.

The request rested on a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from Blain's military service. His attorneys argued in the motion filed last month that the diagnosis overwhelmed his executive function and impaired his judgment. Defense attorney Stefano Molea told the court Blain viewed the political sphere in adversarial terms, similar to military conflicts, and acted out of a belief that he was "fighting against people who are doing the public wrong."

Deputy District Attorney Chandelle Boyce countered that the diagnosis played no significant role in the alleged acts. She argued the conduct was carried out with deliberation and strategy, and noted the condition did not impair Blain's military service or his career as a medical doctor. Judge Shamoon sided with prosecutors, stating she found "clear and convincing evidence that there was no connection" between mental health issues and the offenses. Blain remains out of custody on his own recognizance.

A criminal complaint filed by prosecutors alleges Blain committed perjury in a sworn filing submitted to the Fair Political Practices Commission, falsely stating he was a council member before he had been elected. The document also alleges he solicited a bribe in exchange for voting to appoint another council member, destroyed public records, and stole campaign signs. Blain's legal name is Arthur Anthony Blain IV.

Blain was first elected on Nov. 5, 2024, to represent Poway's 2nd Council District. He resigned on Nov. 5, 2025, one day after special election results indicated district voters favored recalling him. Proponents of the recall alleged he engaged in bribery attempts and vote trading, and used his position on the council to silence critics. The Poway City Council voted 4-0 to censure Blain, the first such action in the body's history. Blain previously described the recall effort as "political backlash .. designed to block me from fully participating in council meetings and to punish me for asking the tough questions taxpayers deserve to have answered."

Poway Mayor Steve Vaus attended Monday's hearing and said he was pleased with the judge's denial of diversion. "He eroded public trust," Vaus said of Blain. "I think he caused people to distrust government. It's tragic in these days. We're proud of how we run Poway and it put a stain on it and we're still trying to work our way back."

The city has filed a separate civil lawsuit against Blain, alleging he destroyed public records and failed to comply with the California Public Records Act. The suit claims Blain conducted city business on private email accounts, through text messages, and on the encrypted Signal app, then deleted some of those messages. A judge declined earlier this year to dismiss that lawsuit, and the civil case remains ongoing.