Rizzo Loses License To Race Horses

INGLEWOOD (CBS) Former Bell city manager Robert Rizzo has lost another job – he's no longer licensed to race horses.

Rizzo's horse-racing owner's license was suspended Sunday by the Hollywood Park board of Stewards.

Stewards Kim Sawyer, Scott Chaney and Tom Ward issued a statement after Rizzo failed to appear at a hearing Saturday to respond to charges of conduct detrimental to horse racing, according to the Daily Racing Form.

Rizzo, 56, lives in Huntington Beach, but races a small stable of thoroughbreds primarily at Emerald Downs in Washington and Northern California, according to the Daily Form.

After the Los Angeles Times reported Rizzo's annual salary of $800,000 in July, Rizzo was accused of being the ringleader of a corruption scandal in Bell. He resigned as city administrator in July and was arrested Sept. 21. Rizzo was charged with 53 felony counts of misappropriation of public funds and for altering and falsifying records.

Rizzo is free on $2 million bail. He and seven other former and current Bell city officials pleaded not guilty to charges on Oct. 21.

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