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Riverside To Drop Auditors After Problems In Bell

RIVERSIDE (AP) — Riverside is dropping its outside auditors after the firm failed to spot problems when looking at the finances of the scandal-ravaged city of Bell.

The Press-Enterprise reports Monday that Riverside is looking to find a replacement for the firm Mayer Hoffman McCann, which it used for the past five years.

The move comes after state Controller John Chiang on Dec. 21 said the firm was a "rubber stamp" instead of a responsible auditor and failed to follow the majority of accepted audit standards when reviewing Bell's books. Mayer Hoffman McCann is disputing the findings.

Several Bell officials have been fired or are facing criminal charges after it was revealed that they were being paid huge salaries.

In Riverside, the City Council's finance committee has asked for proposals from five new firms.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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