Bell officials arrested as prosecutors are set to file criminal charges [Updated]

At least eight city of Bell officials were arrested Tuesday morning, a source said, as L.A. County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley prepared to announce criminal charges in the municipal salary scandal.

[Updated at 10 a.m.: Former Bell City Manager Robert Rizzo, whose high salary sparked the outrage that led to the investigations of the city, was among those arrested in the sweep. No details have been released, but a source not authorized to speak publicly about the case said that Rizzo; former Assistant City Manager Angela Spaccia; Mayor Oscar Hernandez; Councilmembers Luis Artiga, Teresa Jacobo and George Mirabal; and former Councilmembers George Cole and Victor Bello were among those arrested.

[Updated at 11:22 p.m.: Cooley filed charges against eight Bell officials Tuesday, alleging that they misappropriated $5.5 million in public funds. Rizzo has been charged with 53 counts of misappropriation of public funds and conflict of interest.

Among those arrested were former city administrator Robert Rizzo, former assistant city manager Angela Spaccia, Mayor Oscar Hernandez, councilmembers George Mirabal, Teresa Jacobo, Luis Artiga and former councilmembers George Cole and Victor Bello.

"This is corruption on steroids," Cooley said.]

The charges are expected to be detailed at a morning press conference, according to a source with knowledge of the case who was not authorized to comment publicly. A witness told The Times he saw Councilman Luis Artiga taken away in handcuffs Tuesday morning.

A neighbor of Hernandez said authorities used a battering ram on his front door after he failed to answer the door.

"They broke the door down," said the neighbor, who only gave his name as Jose. "They knocked down the door and they brought him out in cuffs."]

For two months, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office and state and federal authorities have investigated Bell, where high salaries earned by former City Manager Robert Rizzo and other top officials have sparked widespread outrage. The Times reported last month that Rizzo was set to earn more than $1.5 million in 2010. Additionally, he gave loans totaling $1.6 million to more than 50 city officials, including himself.

Cooley has said his office was examining whether the various financial transactions in Bell amounted to thefts of public funds. The office is also looking into allegations of voter fraud and whether the high salaries earned by Rizzo and others were legal.

Last week, California Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown filed a lawsuit against current and former Bell city leaders demanding that their pay contracts be nullified and that they pay back some of their salaries and pension benefits. Artiga was not one of those named in the lawsuit, and he said he was working with investigators.

Rizzo and other top city officials stepped down in July after the salary scandal broke. City Council members — who were earning nearly $100,000 a year — significantly slashed their pay.

The full audit by state Controller John Chiang's office has previously found that Bell illegally overtaxed residents and businesses by $5.6 million. In addition to the retirement funds, Rizzo received two city loans of $80,000, officials said.

After The Times disclosed the loans, city officials said they were suspending the loan program and were trying to determine how many of the loans were repaid.

-- Jack Leonard, Ruben Vives and Richard Winton

Photo: Photo of police outside Bell councilmember Geroge Mirabal's home Tuesday morning. The photo was supplied by a Bell resident who wished to remain anonymous. Below: Rizzo under arrest. Daily Pilot.

Comments

[joe]

BASTA is just another bunch of crooks interested in pushing their agenda.. I'm on to you

[john Manchester]

now only if they would go to 1600 pennsyvania ave and arrest another lying crook,,,,,,

[huitzilopochtli]

My kudos to the Los Angeles Times! Had it not been for the LA Times, these Bell elitists would have plundered the people even more.
However, I have a suggestion. Why can we not work a deal with China where we send a dozen of our jurists there to mete out justice and China sends a dozen jurists here to mete out justice for these Bell elitists.
Chinese justice is swift and certain. Ours is slow and never ending.
Come on! Let's close that gap!

[Rey]

Where is the outrage for the $587 million dollar school? You don't think millions ended up in pockets along the way in building that monstrosity. A true investigative report on that school scam would dwarf the Bell bozos.

[Evan's Blog]

This is great news go get um....

[Sandi]

It is about time something is happening here. Politics is so corrupt that I hope this is just the beginning of the audits in other sities, counties, States, etc. I suspect this is the tip of the iceberg. Remember, not voting for any incumbents will finally send a message that "we the people" will no longer sit back and watch the mis-representation, lies and corruption everywhere.

[AnaheimRez]

Unplug "City of Bell" and plug in any city in California and I'm sure you will get more of the same.

[jack]

Thank you Jerry Brown. Now go after Bush and Cheney and Rove and Boehner.

[Greg g]

Eight democrats arrested for fraud and their political affiliation not mentioned in any MSM publication? No bias here! Move along... move along... nothing to see here....!!

[Tom Franklin]

This is a pre-view of the Jan. 2013 headlines

Dozens of congress members arrested for treason, President Palin says many for will follow as investigations continue.

[Ed Ruffin]

L.A.Times good job, now take a look at Greenville, NC....who have access to checking accounts of citizens without their permission.

[Tim]

What about Randy Adams??? He's even a bigger corrupt thief because as a law enforcement officer he should have known better not to break the trust of the people of whom he is supposed to 'protect and serve'.

[Don]

Great news!

[midge tinker]

I am so glad to see these vile creatures brought up on charges. The government should make it a priority to smoke out the vermin that live off the hard work of others. Can you imagin how much good all that money could have done for the homeles and struggling single moms not to mention the working poor. All of their propery should be confiscated an their bank accounts emptied. let them now reapwhat they have sown!

[dgf]

Most of the names are Mexicans...

Among those arrested were former city administrator Robert Rizzo, former assistant city manager Angela Spaccia, Mayor Oscar Hernandez, councilmembers George Mirabal, Teresa Jacobo, Luis Artiga and former councilmembers George Cole and Victor Bello.

When migrate to a new country, please leave old bad habits behind.

Beside climb up the fences with heavy load of bad habits is not a good idea.

[History of railroads owning CA in the past]

The reason their political party isn't stated in the news is because they don't have any.

The California State Constitution forbids all offices to be associated with any political party unless it is a state wide office. It's a legacy from when the railroads ran the politics of the state, and one of the reforms we had to make to reduce their power.

The lack of party affiliation for so many offices frequently confuses non-residents. And from time to time we ourselves question if this helps us or hurts us more as a state. But currently, it's the law.

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 2
SEC. 6. (a) All judicial, school, county, and city offices shall be
nonpartisan.
(b) No political party or party central committee may endorse,
support, or oppose a candidate for nonpartisan office.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/.const/.article_2

>What is the political party affiliation of Bell Council Members and City Manager?
>Why does that not seem to ever be mentioned in the news?

[natb1]

"misappropriated $5.5 million"
Is this like "felony grand theft" or a lesser offense created just for crooked polititians and their friends?

[Crazy Driver]

Rizzo can lose some weight man from all them chuizzos

[daniel.]

DEAR' LA TIME GOOD WORK;; NOW LET;S HOOK UP W/ THE PRESS ENTHERPRISE & GET THE CORRUPTION THAT CITY OF RIVERSIDE HAS CITY COUNSEL ONLY HAVE ONE VISION & THAT TUNNEL VISION ;;;; & IT'S ONLY USE FOR THERE'S GRAINS..

[bayboy]

Finally a ray of sunshine in this sordid story of government outrages.

[Ace]

Soon to be featured in a Jerry Brown ad. Ironic, coming from the person that raised political corruption to an art form, and who enjoys the distinction of being voted The Worst State Attorney General in the nation.

[LA Listiner]

I for one can not wait to see what the new administration does next. Its a rough road a head but with the cooperation of local officials and the citizens of Bell things can be improved even further.

[settingsp28]

This is great !! now what about the white house... soon or later your going after them too right ?

[Passerby]

Hope after all.... Now it's time to turn the lights on in LA and get rid of the real corruption.

[Majid Farhat]

Don't just throw these crooks in jail; take away all their properties, bank accounts, cars etc.. and give rebates back to the Bell City taxpayers! Great job LAT!