Judge Rejects Monitor For Scandal-Plagued Bell

BELL, Calif. (AP) — A judge has rejected a request by the state attorney general's office for the appointment of a monitor to control finances in scandal-plagued Bell.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert H. O'Brien issued his ruling Monday. City News Service reported Tuesday that the full version of the decision was not immediately available.

Bell has been adrift since eight former and current officials were charged in September with misappropriating $5.5 million in public funds.

The attorney general's office, which is suing the eight for fraud, had asked for an independent monitor to handle Bell finances until residents can elect a new City Council next year.

Bell remains the target of several local, state and federal investigations into several city leaders' enormous salaries.

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