Bail Remains High For Key Bell Scandal Defendants

BELL (AP) — A judge has refused to drastically reduce high bail amounts of four current and former officials of the Southern California city of Bell who are among eight arrested in a corruption probe.

<br /><br />

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael E. Pastor ruled Wednesday that the alleged crimes are extremely serious and the defendants could be flight risks.

Pastor only reduced ousted city manager Robert Rizzo's $3.2 million bail to $2 million. Pastor also made modest reductions in bail for former assistant city manager Angela Spaccia and current Mayor Oscar Hernandez. Former councilman Victor Bello's bail was left unchanged.

KNX 1070's Mike Landa Talks To Ecstatic Bell Residents

Attorneys argued that the four have ties to Bell dating back decades, are family people and haven't been in trouble before.

An audit released by the state controller on Wednesday said Bell gave officials outrageous salaries, levied illegal taxes, made improper deals and mismanaged $50 million in bond money.

Bell Outside Legal Counsel Jamie Casso Talks With KNX 1070's Newsline

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)