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.
Seeking to toughen the allowable alcohol limit for drivers, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is calling on states to lower the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) to 0.05 or lower from the current 0.08.
Seeking to toughen the allowable alcohol limit for drivers, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is calling on states to lower the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) to 0.05 or lower from the current 0.08.
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.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:25 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:25:19 GMT
Far-reaching legislation to grant a chance at citizenship to millions of immigrants living illegally in the United States cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on a solid bipartisan vote.
Far-reaching legislation to grant a chance at citizenship to millions of immigrants living illegally in the United States cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on a solid bipartisan vote Tuesday night.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:23 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:23:54 GMT
A scant turnout is expected Tuesday when voters choose between two City Hall regulars who failed to bring much sparkle to the contest to succeed Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who exits office July 1.
A scant turnout is expected Tuesday when voters choose between two City Hall regulars who failed to bring much sparkle to the contest to succeed Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who exits office July 1 after two up-and-down terms.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:12:30 GMT
FBI officials say a joint task force has taken down at least a dozen senior members of the 18th Street gang in a series of early morning raids. The suspects have been arrested for numerous charges.
FBI officials say a joint task force has taken down at least a dozen senior members of the 18th Street gang in a series of early morning raids. The suspects have been arrested for numerous charges.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:42:51 GMT
AEG Live LLC did not conduct any background checks or supervise the doctor who was later convicted of killing Michael Jackson, a corporate attorney testified Tuesday.
AEG Live LLC did not conduct any background checks or supervise the doctor who was later convicted of killing Michael Jackson, a corporate attorney testified Tuesday in a lawsuit claiming the concert promoter was negligent in hiring the physician.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:23 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:23:51 GMT
We had plans to do a story at Ralph Waldo Emerson Middle School at 9:30am. A terrific story about how school choirs are working together to get the arts education that is sometimes lost to budget cuts.
We had plans to do a story at Ralph Waldo Emerson Middle School at 9:30am. A terrific story about how school choirs are working together to get the arts education that is sometimes lost to budget cuts.
The California Public Utilities Commission has reached a proposed $37 million settlement with Southern California Edison over the October 2007 Malibu Canyon Fire.
The California Public Utilities Commission has reached a proposed $37 million settlement with Southern California Edison over the October 2007 Malibu Canyon Fire.
