With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
City Employee who Earns $800K Salary in One of L.A. County's Poorest Cities will Resign or Be Fired

Controversy last week erupted in the small L.A. County city of Bell [map] when the LA Times learned that it's top city official earns a nearly $800,000 salary, which possibly makes him the highest paid public official in the country. That salary a lot more Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and even President Barack Obama.
Now the part-time City Council, which is under investigation for being paid nearly $100,000 a year when they should get around $400, will tonight discuss Chief Administrative Officer Robert Rizzo's job. The vice mayor says he'll either resign or be fired. The city council salaries are currently under investigation by the District Attorney's office.
Residents are unhappy with the news. With that kind of tax-funded salary, they say service city services should be stellar. One example are police response times, which some have complained about. Police Chief Randy Adams earns $457,000 a year, which is "about 50% more than Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck or Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca and more than double New York City's police commissioner," noted the Times.
Bell is 2.55 square miles and holds a population of over 36,000. It's 90.7% Latino.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

-
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight.
-
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious.
-
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress.
-
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
-
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places.
-
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures.