Montebello hires interim administrator to help solve financial problems

The council approves a six-month contract with Larry Kosmont, a real estate consultant and former city manager of Bell Gardens. The city is facing possible insolvency if it can't obtain a loan by October.

California asks Bell to investigate police disability pensions

State retirement system officials are examining whether former City Administrator Robert Rizzo used workers' comp and disability pensions to pad payments to police chiefs who were being forced out.

Judge tosses California's civil suit against ex-Bell leaders

L.A. County Superior Court Judge Ralph W. Dau rules that legislators cannot be sued for passing ordinances that award themselves high salaries. Last year, then-Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown sued to recover funds from Bell officials whose salaries were among the highest in the nation.

Montebello municipal bonds downgraded to junk status

The move by credit rating agency Moody's may make it more difficult for Montebello to get a loan to keep afloat.

Bell voters OKd bonds for sports complex that remains unbuilt

The $70-million bond proposal in 2003 also promised an expanded civic center and a new library, performing arts theater and public safety center. There's little to show despite expenditures of up to $26.5 million.

HUD suspends funding to Montebello

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development agency also demands that Montebello pay back a total of $5 million in grants.

Spate of California bills address misuse of taxpayer money

California legislators move a dozen bills, which aim to prevent the kinds of excessive salaries and hidden cash alleged in Bell and Montebello, through committees. One bill would require online disclosure of officials' salaries, benefits, perks and reimbursements.

Remnants of oil spill linger in Montebello tributary

Forty gallons of crude oil and 400 gallons of brine water leaked from a broken pipeline into the Rio Hondo River tributary. Authorities say the cleanup is complete, but signs of the spill are still present.

Bell seeks $4.5 million in former officials' pensions to ease city's budget problems

Grand jury transcripts reveal funds that were placed in secret plan for former Bell City Administrator Robert Rizzo and chief deputy, Angela Spaccia.

Montebello may face insolvency if it doesn't close budget deficit

City officials have consulted with bankruptcy attorneys to consider possible options, according to a memo by the departing city manager that was obtained by the Los Angeles Times.

Bell City Council candidate dies

Miguel Sanchez, 34, a special-ed teacher's aide, had flu-like symptoms last week and was admitted to the hospital early Friday morning. Fellow activists said the campaign had been causing him great stress.

Bell collected hefty fines in numerous code-enforcement cases

Legal experts point to a lack of due process and judicial oversight in hundreds of 'civil compromises,' in which plumbers, carpet cleaners and bottle-gatherers paid up to $1,000 for alleged code violations.

Rizzo's horse had come in

Some who worked with him in Bell and elsewhere over the years came to know him as a calculating risk-taker.

Hefty paychecks for Vernon officials rival those in Bell

The ex-city administrator who now serves as a legal consultant earned seven figures in each of the last four years, records show. Others in Bell's neighboring city got $570,000 to $800,000 last year.

Legislators offer plan to refund Bell property tax overcharges

But lawmakers are divided over how far the state should go to prevent cities from approving exorbitant salaries and benefits in the future.

Bell loan program for employees totals more than originally reported

In response to a public records request, the city provides additional documents showing loans totaling $1.49 million. The former city manager also received two loans for $80,000 each.

City of Bell lent employees, elected officials nearly $900,000

Former assistant city manager received at least $200,000. Experts say such a city loan program for employees is unusual.

Supervisors urge legislation to return tax funds to Bell property owners

Under the law, the money must go to schools, not to taxpayers who paid overcharges.

Bell council discusses reforms as residents continue angry protests

City must roll back property tax hike that the state controller says was illegal and cut its 'retirement tax.' Amid alleged election fraud, council also considers giving ballot control to the county.

Opinion: Bell stuck in a money rut

The city may have ousted its overpriced executives, but it still has to deal with $77 million in debt.

Bell must give up $2.9 million in illegal property taxes

State Controller John Chiang orders officials to roll back the tax rate, but homeowners won't get a refund. By law, the money must go to schools.

Bell councilman owns a home in Chino

Luis A. Artiga says he lives at the Bell church where he pastors. He owns a four-bedroom home in San Bernardino County that is listed as his primary residence on property tax records.

Proposed California law would sanction cities that pay excessive salaries

Measure would raise income tax to 50% for overpaid council members, impose fiscal penalties on cities designated by the attorney general, and require open-session votes on top officials' compensation.

Whitman ads invoke Bell scandal to attack Brown

Republican gubernatorial nominee says her opponent oversaw a similar salary scandal while he was mayor of Oakland. Both are accused of taking advantage of the Bell dustup to their campaigns' benefit.

Bell's bonds downgraded to junk status

Standard & Poor's lowers the city's rating to BB, meaning the security is considered inappropriate for investors who can't afford the risk of loss. The action is expected to increase borrowing costs.

L.A. County grand jury serves subpoenas seeking thousands of documents from Bell

The subpoenas come two weeks after Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley announced an investigation into the high salaries paid city officials, possible improper business dealings and allegations of voter fraud.

Benefits push Bell ex-manager's compensation to more than $1.5 million

Robert Rizzo's vacation and sick time totaled more than 28 weeks a year, the city discloses.

Bell faces $35-million bond debt

Voter approval was not needed for the obligation, which is more than twice the size of the city's budget.

Bell admits more hefty city salaries

Several other administrators get six-figure paychecks, and two were given extra payments.

Bell salaries raise more concerns about CalPERS

The state's embattled pension system did not act four years ago when it learned about the city's runaway salaries. The state attorney general and auditors express shock that nothing was done.

Voters in Bell tell of possible fraud

Several residents report incidents involving absentee ballots to D.A., who is probing city elections.

Lawyer who OKd lavish salaries in Bell won't be interim city attorney

The City Council decides against appointing Edward Lee to the post and instead picks James M. Casso with the Meyers Nave firm.

CalPERS knew about Bell administrators' large raises

Pension fund officials learned about the manager's 47% increase, then last week expressed surprise at the pay hikes.

Other cities stuck with the tab for Bell officials' massive pensions

Under the state's arcane, convoluted public pension system, Bell will pay a fraction of the city manager and police chief's pensions. Former employers and other cities will bear the brunt of the cost.

Steve Lopez: Maybe we should thank Bell's Rizzo for shedding light on pension excesses

The seeds of the state pension fiasco were sown in 1999, when Gov. Gray Davis and lawmakers raised retirement benefits for state workers, and many cities and counties followed suit.

Bell's business ties to officials probed

L.A. County D.A. examines the city's $4.6-million purchase tied to a former politician.

Bell property tax rate second-highest in L.A. County

Homes of the same value in richer cities are taxed at a much lower rate, county tax records show. Residents are already angry about excessive salaries paid to officials.

Downey drops city attorney who also worked for Bell

The City Council dismisses Edward Lee's firm. One councilman says the association with the Bell salary scandal is an 'embarrassment.' Lee signed off on the huge salaries paid to Bell officials.