Bell official to ask state controller to independently audit city's finances

Bell's interim chief administrator is to ask State Controller John Chiang to conduct an independent audit of the city's finances -- part of the city's "commitment to increased transparency and accountability to the public," according to a news release.

Pedro Carrillo, the interim chief administrative officer, plans to hold a news conference at Bell City Hall on Tuesday to announce the audit.

A Times report revealed that the city's top officials received some of the highest municipal wages in the nation. City Administrative Officer Robert Rizzo made $787,637 a year, almost twice the salary of President Obama; Police Chief Randy Adams made $457,000, 50% more than Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck; and Assistant City Manager Angela Spaccia made $376,288, more than the top administrator for Los Angeles County.

All three resigned last week.

On Monday night, four city council members -- who are being investigated for their own $100,000 annual salaries -- agreed to take a 90% pay cut. Mayor Oscar Hernandez said he would forfeit pay for the remainder of his term and will not seek re-election.

For complete coverage of Bell, see www.latimes.com/Bell.

-- Jeff Gottlieb