News Summary

In East Missoula, developers David and Trent Sanson are facing federal bribery charges for allegedly attempting to influence a city official with $10,000 in campaign contributions, alongside a concealed $5,000 cash bribe. This scandal raises serious questions about ethics in public dealings as federal authorities step in to investigate. The implications of the allegations could lead to significant legal consequences for the developers, whose involvement in local housing projects adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing case.

East Missoula Developers in Hot Water Over Alleged Bribery Scandal

In a troubling turn of events for East Missoula, two developers have been hit with federal charges, catching the attention of locals and raising questions about integrity in public dealings. David Sanson, aged 60, from Philipsburg, Montana, and his younger business associate, Trent Sanson, aged 33, from Walnut Creek, California, are at the center of this unfolding scandal.

The Allegations

The Sansons are accused of attempting to sway a local official with an enticing bribe of $10,000 in campaign contributions, all reportedly in an effort to grease the wheels for a housing project they were working on. But that’s not all—documents suggest they took their scheme a step further by cleverly concealing an additional $5,000 in cash inside a coffee mug, hoping to keep things under the radar as they pushed their plans through the development review process.

FBI Takes a Stand

In light of these serious allegations, FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani has firmly condemned such behavior, framing it as an attack on government integrity. The very essence of public accountability is being put to the test here as federal authorities step in to investigate what appears to be a blatant breach of ethics.

Developers Respond

Meanwhile, a representative for the Sansons has described the federal charges as untrue, stating that the developers are currently reviewing the allegations closely. It’s important to note that these allegations come at a precarious time for the Sansons, who are deeply involved in local projects.

What’s Going On With Aspire?

David Sanson is notably a principal developer of the Aspire subdivision, which squeaked through the approval process by the Missoula City Council back in August 2024. However, things have not been smooth sailing since then. Just a couple of months later, residents from East Missoula took the city and the Aspire subdivision to court, claiming that proper development rules were not followed in the approval process.

DeNova Homes and Future Projects

Both David and Trent Sanson are affiliated with DeNova Homes, a California-based development group that has been making waves in the housing sector. Just this past summer, the duo was also involved in another major housing initiative called the Aviano project, aimed at constructing a whopping 533-unit residential complex near San Francisco. Although this project received the green light, it came with a list of infrastructure improvements needed before any actual digging could begin.

Bribery Reported

Turning back to the bribery allegations, it’s worth noting that Trent Sanson reportedly met with a city councilor in Antioch back on June 12, 2024, asking for their backing for the Aviano project. Just a week later, on June 20, he handed over that infamous coffee mug filled with cash to the same councilor. Thankfully, the official took this matter seriously and promptly reported the attempted bribery to the FBI, sparking the investigation that followed.

The Stakes are High

As it stands, if David and Trent Sanson are found guilty, each could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. Meanwhile, construction for the Aspire subdivision is set to kick off next year, though ongoing litigation continues to hang over the project like a dark cloud.

Looking Ahead

The city of Missoula is generally tight-lipped when it comes to ongoing lawsuits, with Communications Director Ginny Merriam making it clear that they refrain from commenting on such issues. Whether or not the Sansons will prevail in their efforts to clear their names remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain: integrity in public office is at the forefront of discussions in East Missoula today.

As this story unfolds, residents and stakeholders alike will be keeping a close eye on how the legal proceedings play out and what it might mean for future development in the area.

East Missoula Developers Face Bribery Charges