Gaea Powell’s delay tactics continue, another attorney appointed

November 6, 2026

Gaea Powell, photo by Jeff Specht

By KAREN VELIE

The sentencing hearing for Gaea Powell, a San Luis Obispo County woman convicted of election fraud, was delayed again, this time after she claimed a conflict of interest with the entire public defender’s office.

A SLO County jury on Sept. 21 found Gaea Powell guilty of nine counts of election fraud– eight felonies and one misdemeanor. The SLO County District Attorney’s Office is seeking a sentence of one year in county jail.

Initially scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 19, a week before her hearing, Powell filed a motion for a public defender and to have her sentencing hearing delayed.

On Oct. 19, SLO County Superior Court Judge Timothy Covello agreed to continue Powell’s sentencing until Nov. 4 and to appoint a public defender for her sentencing hearing. Covello then reappointed public defender Andrew Jennings, who spoke with Powell outside the courtroom.

Shortly before her Nov. 4 sentencing hearing, Powell asked the court for another delay, this time arguing the entire public defender’s office had a conflict.

Powell said she secretly taped her conversation with Jenson on the courthouse, who she claimed said horrible things to her. Powell then filed a complaint with both San Luis Obispo Defenders and the State Bar of California.

Powell said she was upset with Jenson for saying she would likely be sentenced to one year in jail and that she should have pleaded guilty.

Court rules, however, bar recording in public areas of the SLO County Courthouse without advance permission from the court or presiding judge.

After accusing Powell of another delay tactic and wasting the court’s time, Judge Covello said he had to appoint outside council to represent Powell and again delayed her sentencing. Attorney Robert Bettencourt is scheduled to represent Powell at a sentencing hearing on Dec. 16

In an interview outside the courthouse, Powell said she is trying to get a new trial.

“I would like to get a new trial,” Powell said. “I hope I can stay out of custody.”

Powell accused Judge Covello and the district attorney’s office of being bias against her.

She also claimed former SLO County Supervisor Lynn Compton had failed to claim a donation in 2022, resulting in a $5,000 fine from the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). She then accused SLO County District Attorney Dan Dow of showing bias because he did not file charges against Compton.

FPPC records refute Powell’s allegations. Compton’s campaign late filed two reports in 2022, leading to a $2,691 fine. The violation was civil and not criminal as Powell alleged.

When asked if her main objective is to file a civil case, Powell said, “I hope to file a federal case hopefully against all parties who caused me harm.”

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