California, Political Corruption | featured news

More than a month after testimony ended, a jury has reached a verdict in the trial of the so-called "Bell 6," who are accused of misappropriation of public funds in a scandal that left a small city southeast of downtown Los Angeles nearly bankrupt.

The former city leader is given a 1-year sentence, plus probation, community service and must pay $17,000 in restitution... A former Cudahy mayor was sentenced Monday to a year in federal prison for his part in taking $17,000 in bribes from a man who wanted to open a medical marijuana dispensary in the city in southeast Los Angeles County.

Fear of embarrassment and budget cuts led California parks officials to intentionally conceal millions of dollars in a department account, according to an investigation conducted by the state attorney general's office.

The former city administrator of Bell, California -- who's at the center of corruption allegations that he and seven other city officials misappropriated $5.5 million in salaries and personal loans -- is suing the city for breach of contract and labor code violations.

Three present and former Bell city leaders facing public corruption charges now want the cash-strapped city to pay their legal bills.Attorneys for Mayor Oscar Hernandez, Councilwoman Teresa Jacobo and former Councilman George Cole have filed court documents saying the city should cover their legal expenses for a lawsuit filed by the California attorney general's office.

The mayor and seven other current and former officials of the small Los Angeles suburb of Bell were arrested on Tuesday on charges related to a pay scandal, the Los Angeles County District Attorney said.