Former Bell Councilman Victor Bello posts bail, released from jail

Former Bell Councilman Victor Bello was released on bail early Wednesday morning after more than five months behind bars.

Bello's release at about 4 a.m. comes a few weeks after a judge agreed to reduce his bail from $190,000 to $100,000.

Bello is among eight current and former Bell city officials who were arrested in September and charged with corruption and misappropriation of funds. He was only one who remained behind bars.

The reduction of bail provided more "attractive terms" for Bello's son-in-law to secure his release, said Bello's attorney, Leo J. Moriarty.

The bail amount was approved by the Los Angeles County district attorney's office and a judge on Tuesday.

"Since Mr. Bello is now free from custody, he will not need to insist upon a speedy trial," Moriarty said, noting that additional time will be spent planning Bello's defense.

On Tuesday, the people of Bell overwhelmingly voted to recall the entire City Council and elect Danny Harber, Ana Maria Quintana, Ali Saleh, Nestor Valencia and Violeta Alvarez.

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New Bell council must act quickly to avoid insolvency; big budget cuts likely

-- Nate Jackson

Photo: Victor Bello in his Sept. 21, 2010, booking photo. Credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department / Associated Press

Comments

[sholmes]

The City of Bell's big 8 alligators collectively ran away $5.5 million over 5 years? That's peanuts!!
LA Department of Water & Power (LADWP) could rip off less than a month and just for only one contract to run away bigger than $5.5 million. Why? Simply the LADWP audit director is part of the entire scheme as he wears two hats. Gatekeeper in the front during the day, but thieves-usher through the back door in the night.
Just like the widely quotted "too big to fail", this is "an untouchable thief too big to capture."