Apple Valley Finance Director Marc Puckett pleads not guilty to felony hit-and-run charge

RANCHO CUCAMONGA — Marc Puckett, the Apple Valley finance director who has been on paid administrative leave from his Town Hall position since Dec. 7, has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge filed against him earlier this month, San Bernardino County court records show.

Puckett, 55, of Aliso Viejo, faces felony hit-and-run in connection with a July 20 crash on southbound Interstate 15 that allegedly resulted in him fleeing the scene. He entered a Rancho Cucamonga courtroom on Thursday and pleaded not guilty, nine days after the charge was filed.

A check of court records on Wednesday revealed Puckett’s arraignment had not yet been scheduled. It’s likely he requested a hearing after entering the courtroom considering the arraignment was not on Thursday’s court calendar, according to San Bernardino County District Attorney spokesperson Chris Lee.

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The not guilty plea comes two days after the Apple Valley Town Council rejected a claim — filed by the Newport Beach-based Bergener Mirejovsky law firm on behalf of Espinoza — that sought $2 million in damages and argued that Puckett was in the course and scope of employment with the town at the time of the incident.

A civil lawsuit will likely be filed as a result.

Puckett remains out of custody, according to jail records. He is due back in court Dec. 28 for a pre-preliminary hearing that was also set for a bail review, court records show.

Source: Matt Cabe, Daily Press