Judge Assigns Public Defender For Bello Ahead Of 'Bell 8' Hearing
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The former mayor of the city of Bell has a new lawyer.
KNX 1070's John Brooks reports Victor Bello could be back in court now that his legal problems have been fixed.
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Earlier this month, Bello, 53, said he was broke, depressed and unable to defend himself against corruption charges linked to his time working as both mayor and city councilman for Bell.
"The lawyer that I had, unfortunately he was not able to continue, so I'm looking for one now pro bono who wants to help and that understands that I'm not guilty," Bello said at the time. "All I've done is do the right thing."
But on Thursday, Bello was assigned a new lawyer — deputy public defender John Powers — so taxpayers will be funding his legal defense for the time being.
Bello and the rest of the "Bell 8" are scheduled to return to court at the end of February.
