Bell's Interim City Manager Holds On To Position

BELL (AP) — Bell's interim city manager has survived an effort to fire him.

The City Council held a two-hour closed-door meeting on Wednesday but didn't vote on a proposal to oust Pedro Carrillo, leaving him in place as chief administrative officer of the scandal-plagued Los Angeles suburb.

Carrillo took over this year after revelations that Bell officials made huge salaries and charged illegal taxes and fees. Eight current and former officials, including ex-city manager Robert Rizzo, are accused of misappropriating $5.5 million in public funds.

The Los Angeles Times says Carrillo's firing was sought by Lorenzo Velez, the only council member who isn't facing criminal charges. Velez argued that Carrillo was too closely linked to Rizzo.

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