Bell mayor loses bid to have city pick up his legal costs to fight fraud charges

Bell does not have to pick up Mayor Oscar Hernandez’s legal expenses in defending himself against accusations he misappropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars from the city treasury, a Superior Court judge ruled Monday.

Hernandez, who also is facing criminal corruption charges along with seven other current or former leaders in the small Los Angeles County city, was seeking to have the city pick up his legal fees in defending himself against a sweeping lawsuit filed by then-Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown.

The state’s lawsuit seeks to recover tax dollars Brown claims were improperly taken from the city.

In making the ruling, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Joseph R. Kalin said that granting such an award would essentially be saying the mayor had proved his case. Kalin said the request for attorneys fees was premature and could be raised at a later date.

Hernandez, Councilwoman Teresa Jacobo and former Councilman George Cole have all asked the city to pick up their legal fees, saying they were sued in their official capacity as Bell public officials. The city has refused, though the court has not ruled on the requests from Jacobo and Cole.

Brown’s lawsuit itself has been teetering for weeks. A judge has expressed doubt that the state even has the standing to file such a case and urged the city to drop its case, at least until the criminal case against the officials has been resolved.

Newly elected Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris told reporters early this month she is still deciding how to proceed in the case.

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3 accused Bell officials want cash-strapped city to pay their legal bills

-- Richard Winton

Photo: Oscar Hernandez. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[gregoryor]

There'd better be some way to put these crooks behind bars. This flagrant abuse of the public trust should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

[gregoryor]

There'd better be some way to put these crooks behind bars. This flagrant abuse of the public trust should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

[JRG]

Are you kidding me? What pathetic scum.

[former USC Professor]

Maybe the Mayor can start selling medical Marijuana at his business establishment to help pay his legal bills.

[Dairenn Lombard]

It's remarkable to me they'd even file such a request.

[Marcy]

Excellent news!

[Jim]

Who wants to bet that they get probation at the most.

[rusoviet]

Hey Oscar welcome to reality - you plundered and you got caught - time to do the time boyo.

Better get ready for your turn in stir - try to get a stretch at Chuckwalla I hear Avenal is a bit hard on old guys.

[Concerned]

Are you kidding me? The City of Bell is still being held hostage by these crooks; Carrillo is no better! The city should make a clean sweep and rid themselves of these people who are still in a position to make current decisions concerning the city. THROW THEM OUT!

[AJ Morgan]

The evidence is there, the paper trail is miles long, and it reveals a system long abused by these filthy vermin . Why are they wasting even more tax payer money on this scum? He'g guilty, sentence him and his toadies and be done with it.