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Articles Tagged With ‘City of Bell’




Former Bell manager pleads no contest

Written on 4 Oct, 2013 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 5 comments

The former city of Bell manager plead no contest Thursday evening to 69 felony charges of misappropriating public funds and falsifying documents. Prosecutors told the Los Angeles Times Robert Rizzo, 59, would be sentenced to 10 to 12 years in... (Continue reading)

Atascadero and Paso Robles violating personnel rules

Written on 2 Mar, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 17 comments

Atascadero and Paso Robles employees are breaking rules that limit the amount of vacation accrual leaving Atascadero with $887,320 and Paso Robles with $1,646,575 in unfunded liability, according to Grand Jury report (pdf) released Thursday. In Paso Robles and Atascadero,... (Continue reading)

Air quality district’s bloated salaries

Written on 14 Nov, 2011 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 70 comments

(Editor’s note: This is the first in a multi-part series about questionable activities of the San Luis Obispo County Air Quality Control District.) They set hefty salaries for themselves and went looking for the money to meet the payroll. It’s not the... (Continue reading)

Attorney General asked to weigh in on judges’ $235,000 benefits

Written on 26 Sep, 2011 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 72 comments

California’s Attorney General is deciding whether the Commission on Judicial Performance can discipline San Luis Obispo County judges for giving themselves perks that total more than $235,000 a year, according to documents and sources familiar with the issue. The commission says... (Continue reading)

Shining a brighter light on public officials

Written on 6 Sep, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 30 comments

An Orange County lawmaker is pushing a plan to force greater financial accountability by public officials and certain high level government employees, but opposition from those affected is stiffening. Sen. Lou Correa, R-Orange County, ushered his bill, SB 46, through... (Continue reading)

Ken Hampian managing city of Bell

Written on 29 Jul, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 3 comments

When the scandal struck city of Bell first advertised for a new city manager its reputation was so tarnished, no one applied. Nevertheless, former San Luis Obispo City Manager Ken Hampian is stepping up to the challenge, temporarily and for... (Continue reading)

Eight City of Bell officials arrested

Written on 21 Sep, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 14 comments

Police arrested at least eight city of Bell officials Tuesday morning and the Los Angeles County District Attorney announced that criminal charges are pending. [LA Times] Former City Manager Robert Rizzo, whose high salary sparked the outrage that led to... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles hires Bell attorney firm

Written on 20 Aug, 2010 in Uncovered SLO | 46 comments

Paso Robles City Council voted last night to hire the same attorney firm that signed off on the lavish salaries of city of Bell officials and employees. Councilmembers Nick Gilman, Ed Steinbeck and Mayor Duane Picanco voted unanimously to approve the... (Continue reading)

Governor: City salaries should be placed online

Written on 30 Jul, 2010 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 7 comments

In the wake of the recent pay scandal involving Bell city officials, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Thursday that if local governments have “nothing to hide,” they should post the salaries of top officials online. [LA Times] The governor’s remarks came... (Continue reading)