“PALM DESERT —Anyse Ruth Smith is not the typical type of person this affluent desert city attracts to seek a seat on the city’s governing board, but there is nothing typical about Smith. She has a checkered past that includes being homeless, being in debt, being incarcerated, stealing U.S. mail and more.”
Wealth: “At 17 years old, Smith began her academic career at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She earned her bachelor’s degree in international Affairs. That led her to the Paris Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi in 2010, where she earned a master’s degree in international law and diplomacy.”
Crime: “Smith was arrested [at a previous home] in the 36000 block of Yanas Drive and booked into the Southwest Detention Center in French Valley on suspicion of burglary and fraud. Her bail was set at $5,000. Smith was released that Thursday, jail records show. The series of thefts, in which someone was forcing open the boxes in the night, began Aug. 3, Murrieta police said at the time, according to The Press Enterprise.”
“Smith acknowledges she was once charged with possession of a controlled substance and was charged with a felony. She spent some time in the Banning Jail. Her original sentence was 120 days, but she was released early, she said.”
“[…] But ultimately, what I was charged with and what I was convicted of was commercial burglary. And that was along the line with my possession charges and all of it was related to me trying to [steal] money to feed my drug addiction. I was 100% active addiction during that time.”
Homelessness: “After returning to California, Smith started to wrestle with issues of drug and alcohol dependence that led to a period of incarceration and homelessness, and numerous hardships.”
Denying her Wealth: “Being a homeowner doesn’t necessarily translate to having money in your pocket. It’s a name on a document, right? It’s a name on a document, and I don’t own it by myself.”
Anyse Smith owns a $2 million illegal short term vacation rental in unincorporated Riverside County charging $97,737 per month, and has rented an apartment for a few months in order to run in North Palm Desert in District 3.