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.
Bell scandal: Last of 7 officials to be sentenced gets 1 year in jail
File photo: Former Bell city manager Robert Rizzo (L) and former council member Victor Bello (R) appear in court with six other current and former City of Bell officials at Los Angeles County Criminal Courts September 22, 2010. On Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, Bello became the last of seven Bell officials accused of public corruption to be sentenced in a criminal trial.
(
Al Seib-Pool/Getty Images
)
Former Bell City Councilman Victor Bello was sentenced Friday to one year in county jail and ordered to repay more than $177,000, bringing to an end a string of criminal cases in the corruption scandal that rocked the town in southeast Los Angeles County.
Superior Court Judge Kathleen Kennedy further placed Bello on probation for five years and ordered him to complete 500 hours of community service, according to a statement from the district attorney's office.
Bello was convicted last year along with Mayor Oscar Hernandez, Vice Mayor Teresa Jacobo and former council members George Mirabal and George Cole, on charges they stole a total of nearly $1 million.
The DA's office said Bello's salary started at just $434 a month in 1998 but increased to nearly $100,000 a year by the time he resigned his council seat in 2009.
Sponsored message
Here are the sentences received by the other ex-Bell officials:
Robert Rizzo, former city manager: 12 years in state prison, nearly $9 million in restitution; sentenced in a separate federal case to 33 months in federal prison on tax fraud charges
Angela Spaccia, former assistant city manager: 11 years, 8 months in prison, more than $8 million in restitution
George Mirabal, former city council member: 1 year in jail, 5 years probation, 1,000 hours community service, $242,293 in restitution
George Cole, former city council member: 180 days home confinement, 5 years probation, 1,000 hours community service, $77,000 in restitution
Teresa Jacobo, former city council member: 1 year in jail, $242,000 in restitution
Oscar Hernandez, former mayor: 1 year in jail, 5 years probation, 1,000 hours community service, $241,000 in restitution
This story has been updated.
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.
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.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
