Judge Tosses Civil Suits Against Bell Officials

BELL (AP) — A judge says he doesn't believe eight current and former officials of the scandal-ravaged California city of Bell can be sued for paying themselves gigantic salaries.

In a tentative ruling issued Thursday, Superior Court Judge Ralph W. Dau indicated he will dismiss most of the civil claims contained in a lawsuit targeting the officials. He didn't say when he would make a final ruling.

The state attorney general's office filed the suit last year in an effort to recoup millions of dollars paid to the former city manager, mayor and others.

Dau says elected officials, not the courts, have authority to determine what public officials' salaries should be.

His ruling doesn't affect criminal charges brought against most of the same officials.

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