Podcast: Steve Lopez on Bell wringing and a preview of Crime L.A.

It's been a full week for the city of Bell: arrests of eight current and former city officials, an audit revealing doubled public service taxes and money funneled to Robert Rizzo and a revelation of a retirement agreement for the then-incoming police chief giving him a tax break on his retirement funds.

Columnist Steve Lopez offers an audio column and invitation to weigh in.

Also, in this episode of the podcast, data team editor Megan Garvey gives listeners an audio preview to a feature coming to Latimes.com on Sept. 29: Crime L.A., a comprehensive database of crimes in your Los Angeles County neighborhoods.

Listen to the podcast by clicking the play button below, or subscribe here.

-- Michelle Maltais

Photo: Former and current Bell city employees at a bail reduction hearing Wednesday afternoon. From left are Robert Rizzo, former city administrator; Angela Spaccia, former assistant city administrator; Victor Bello, former City Council member; and Oscar Hernandez, mayor. See the full story on Bell. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Andy]

The Los Angeles City Council is another pay scandal that I'd like to see reported in the LA Times, and addressed by the City Controller. LA City Council members are pocketing $178,000 per year (plus perks) while the city has a $400 million deficit. The city can't keep it's libraries open, but it can afford to pay the city council more than 4 times the median income in LA. The highest paid city council in the nation! Shameful!