This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
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.
From Schemer to Security Guard: Bell's Rizzo Has a New Bag
Rizzo (Huntington Beach PD)
Ousted former City Manager for Bell, and the purported ringleader of the corrupt "Bell 8," Robert Rizzo has a new job, as reported by the LA Times' Steve Lopez, who met up with the disgraced civic leader while he worked a shift as a parking lot guard at the International Surfing Museum in Huntington Beach.Rizzo told Lopez he was there as a volunteer. "I enjoy volunteering," he told the reporter. (Lopez points out in print that Rizzo "previously enjoyed buying horses and visiting his nearly $1-million horse ranch in Washington state.) Enjoying it or not, it seems more plausible that Rizzo was posted in the lot because of a March arrest in--you guessed it--Huntington Beach, for a DUI, and less so because he suddenly had a desire to serve a community in another county for the heck of it.
No one would confirm if Rizzo's work was part of his fulfillment of community service hours. His responsibility is to "make sure nobody park[s] for free in the small lot and then [go] shopping instead of going into the museum." Jokes Lopez: "I hope [the Museum operators] have the good sense to keep Rizzo away from the books, or he'll be drawing a $100,000 pension for life after two weeks' work."
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
