Calif. attorney general’s office sues former and current Bell city leaders amid pay scandal

Calif. files lawsuits against city of Bell leaders

LOS ANGELES — The California attorney general’s office has filed civil lawsuits against eight former and current leaders of the tiny city of Bell, accusing them of fraud, conspiracy and wasting taxpayers money.

Attorney General Jerry Brown said Wednesday that the lawsuits demand city officials, including former City Manager Robert Rizzo and three current council members, return hundreds of thousands of dollars in bloated salaries they gave themselves.

Brown’s office and the Los Angeles County district attorney began investigations after it was learned that Bell had some of the highest-paid officials in the nation, even though one in six residents live in poverty.

Brown says his investigators will look at other cities and ask legislators to reform salary and pension practices.