LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A jury was sworn in today to hear the criminal case against the former mayor of Bell and five ex-City Council members, all of whom are charged with misappropriating public funds by collecting exorbitant salaries.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kathleen Kennedy ordered the 12 jurors - along with six alternates -- to return to court Thursday morning for opening statements in the trial of former Mayor Oscar Hernandez and former council members Teresa Jacobo, George Mirabal, Luis Artiga, George Cole and Victor Bello.
The defendants are each facing multiple counts -- some as many as 20 -- of misappropriating city funds through their work on various city agencies, including the Community Housing Authority, Public Financing Authority and Solid Waste and Recycling Authority.
The prosecution contends that the defendants paid themselves thousands of dollars for attending meetings that sometimes lasted only a matter of minutes, adding up to annual pay of nearly $100,000 in a city of roughly 35,000 residents.
Defense attorneys contend the former mayor and council members spent significant time working on city issues
Cole's attorney has said his client plans to testify in his own defense during the trial.
Former City Administrator Robert Rizzo and his then-assistant, Angela Spaccia, are awaiting trial in a separate corruption case. More than 50 counts of fraud have been filed against against Rizzo, seen as the ringleader of the alleged effort to loot the city's treasury by paying bloated salaries to himself and other officials and arranging illicit loans of taxpayer money.
Certain projects, such as adding a well thought-out family room can be a wise investment, as they do add to the value of the home. Other projects, however, allow little opportunity to recover the costs when it's time to sell.
Certain projects, such as adding a well thought-out family room can be a wise investment, as they do add to the value of the home. Other projects, however, allow little opportunity to recover the costs when it's time to sell.
People who follow the ancient practice of yoga may be getting an added health boost, with a new study suggesting it can fight high blood pressure -- also known as hypertension.
People who follow the ancient practice of yoga may be getting an added health boost, with a new study suggesting it can fight high blood pressure -- also known as hypertension.
In recent years, veterinarians have stepped in to provide a quick, cost-effective place on the Internet for owners to have their questions answered and get solid advice no matter the time of the day.
In recent years, veterinarians have stepped in to provide a quick, cost-effective place on the Internet for owners to have their questions answered and get solid advice no matter the time of the day.
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Tuesday, May 14 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-05-14 22:04:37 GMT
Citing problems exposed by the Boston Marathon bombings, senators weighing amendments to a sweeping immigration bill agreed Tuesday to boost security provisions around student visas.
Citing problems exposed by the Boston Marathon bombings, senators weighing amendments to a sweeping immigration bill agreed Tuesday to boost security provisions around student visas.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 2:31 PM EDT2013-05-14 18:31:41 GMT
[VIEW PHOTO GALLERY] They range in age, but they all think alike. They're Simi Valley's K-9 search and rescue, and these women go out at all hours of the night to save dogs that have gone missing.
[VIEW PHOTO GALLERY] They range in age, but they all think alike. They're Simi Valley's K-9 search and rescue. Using Facebook and some serious tracking techniques the women of Simi Valley Missing Pets go out at all hours of the night to save dogs that have gone missing.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 2:24 PM EDT2013-05-14 18:24:37 GMT
Today is crunch time for the operators of medical-marijuana dispensaries in Garden Grove. The police chief has sent them letters telling them they must close by today or face fines of 1-thousand dollars.
Today is crunch time for the operators of medical-marijuana dispensaries in Garden Grove. The police chief has sent them letters telling them they must close by today or face fines of 1-thousand dollars.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 2:48 AM EDT2013-05-14 06:48:17 GMT
There is one residential detox center across the street from Bertran Elementary in Reseda. Two others are right around the corner, and two more are being built nearby.
There is one residential detox center across the street from Bertran Elementary in Reseda. Two others are right around the corner, and two more are being built nearby.
Monday, May 13 2013 9:08 PM EDT2013-05-14 01:08:41 GMT
A 25-acre wildfire has shut down some northbound lanes of Interstate 5 in Castaic, north of Los Angeles, and is threatening a mobile home park.
A 25-acre wildfire started by a burning vehicle north of Los Angeles slowed northbound traffic on Interstate 5 to a crawl Monday and threatened a mobile home park, as hot weather and tinder-dry vegetation kept fire crews busy.
Saturday, May 18 2013 3:40 AM EDT2013-05-18 07:40:51 GMT
Maribel Ramos, 36, was last seen on surveillance video dropping off her rent check about 8:30 p.m. May 2 in Orange. Roomate has been arrested for her murder.
Maribel Ramos, 36, was last seen on surveillance video dropping off her rent check about 8:30 p.m. May 2 in Orange. Roomate has been arrested for her murder.
