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Ex-Councilman Sentenced To 1 Year In Jail For Bell Corruption Scandal

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A former Bell councilman was sentenced Friday for his involvement in one of the largest public corruptions cases in county history, authorities said.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, 55-year-old Victor Bello was ordered to spend one year in county jail and five years on probation, complete 500 hours of community service and return more than $177,000 in restitution to the city.

However, authorities said that Bello will get credit for the 340 days that he has already served in jail.

Bello was convicted last year alongside former Mayor Oscar Hernandez, Vice Mayor Teresa Jacobo and former Councilmen George Mirabal and George Cole for stealing a total of nearly $1 million, the district attorney's office said.

Bello was the last of seven former city officials to be sentenced for misappropriating public funds that nearly bankrupted the City of Bell.

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