This collection contains links to articles published by the Los Angeles Times and California Watch pertaining to the Bell scandal.
Click here to return to the City of Bell Scandal Revisited conference proceedings.
Submissions from 2013
Two and a half years later, ex-Bell officials to stand trial (January 3, 2013)
Bell corruption trial: Questioning of prospective jurors to begin (January 22, 2013)
Bell jury selected, stage now set for corruption trial (January 23, 2013)
Bell: Request for mistrial denied but attorney chastized (January 23, 2013)
Bell's Rizzo wants trial moved out of L.A. Times' circulation area (January 23, 2013)
Bell trial: More potential jurors expected to be added to pool (January 23, 2013)
Bell corruption trial: Opening statements to begin Thursday (January 24, 2013)
Blame flies as Bell trial begins (January 24, 2013)
Bell corruption trial: City clerk to begin third day of testimony (January 30, 2013)
Bell witness: Rizzo tried to confuse "unsophisticated" council (February 1, 2013)
Bell trial: D.A. investigator returns to witness stand (February 5, 2013)
Bell trial: Councilman not charged unaware of others' high pay (February 6, 2013)
Bell trial: Councilman went to D.A. in '09 about high salaries (February 6, 2013)
Bell trial: Ex-administrator Spaccia in court to 'lend support' (February 6, 2013)
Bell trial: Prosecutor, excouncilman at odds over salaries (February 15, 2013)
D.A. to jurors: Nobody is above the law, not even in Bell (February 20, 2013)
Bell jury is handed the fates of six onetime civic leaders (February 22, 2013)
Bell trial: Jurors begin first full day of deliberations (February 25, 2013)
Bell corruption trial: Juror dismissed; deliberations to restart (February 28, 2013)
Jury in Bell corruption trial appears to be deadlocked (February 28, 2013)
Bell corruption trial: Still no verdict as jury deliberates 8th day (March 5, 2013)
Bell trial: Lengthy jury deliberations favor defense, lawyer says (March 6, 2013)
Bell corruption trial: Jurors may be struggling (March 11, 2013)
Bell corruption trial: Illness forces jurors to be sent home (March 12, 2013)
Time may not be on prosecutors' side in Bell trial (March 13, 2013)
Bell jury heads home, another week without a verdict (March 15, 2013)
Bell trial jurors are read testimony again; still no verdict (March 15, 2013)
Bell corruption trial: Jury has reached verdicts (March 20, 2013)
Bell corruption trial: Mixed verdicts, 1 ex-councilman acquitted (March 20, 2013)
Bell council members guilty of multiple corruption counts (March 20, 2013)
Bell verdict: Convicted council members may avoid jail (March 20, 2013)
Bell verdict: Judge may order jury to keep deliberating (March 20, 2013)
Reaction from Bell: 'They've been guilty since 2 1/2 years ago' (March 20, 2013)
Bell case mistrial after 'all hell has broken loose' with jury (March 21, 2013)
Bell corruption trial ended with jury intimidation, attorneys say (March 21, 2013)
Bell jury can't change guilty verdicts, judge and experts say (March 21, 2013)
Bell mistrial: 'Prosecutors on steroids,' defense says (March 21, 2013)
Bell trial ends in chaos (March 21, 2013)
Bell trial: Judge declares mistrial on 10 counts, jury dismissed (March 21, 2013)
Bell trial: Jurors ordered to resume deliberations (March 21, 2013)
Bell trial: Juror wants to reconsider guilty verdicts, note says (March 21, 2013)
Bell trial: Jury due back in court to discuss undecided charges (March 21, 2013)
Defense attorneys should have polled jury after verdict, experts say (March 21, 2013)
Bell trial: After mistrial, next steps for attorneys unclear (March 22, 2013)
Controller: Progress in Bell, but potential for more problems high (May 22, 2013)
Prosecutors opt to retry five ex-Bell City Council members (May 22, 2013)
Steeped in debt, Bell could owe millions in legal fees, audit says (May 23, 2013)
Rizzo loses bid for change of venue in Bell corruption trial (August 28, 2013)
Bell's Robert Rizzo pleads no contest, to get 10 to 12 years in prison (October 3, 2013)
Robert Rizzo blames assistant for Bell corruption, gets prison (October 3, 2013)
Robert Rizzo to go to prison, wants to 'make amends' to Bell (October 3, 2013)
Angela Spaccia denies guilt in Bell corruption, accuses Rizzo (October 4, 2013)
Angela Spaccia to testify in Bell corruption trial, attorney says (October 21, 2013)
Angela Spaccia's trial launches final look at Bell scandal (October 23, 2013)
Bell's Spaccia was set to make an extra $8 million, expert testifies (October 24, 2013)
Bell case witness: Rizzo was actually making $1.18 million (October 25, 2013)
Ex-Bell city attorney unsure how his signature got on contracts (October 28, 2013)
Former Bell attorney testifies that city appeared to be 'doing well' (October 29, 2013)
Bell mayor tricked into signing Rizzo, Spaccia contracts, clerk says (October 31, 2013)
Bell won't be able to touch some of Rizzo's wealth (November 1, 2013)
In a surprise move, former Bell police chief says he'll testify (November 5, 2013)
Bell's former police chief calls high pay a shock (November 6, 2013)
Bell trial: Ex-police chief surprised city could "afford to hire me" (November 6, 2013)
Former Bell Police Chief Randy Adams to take stand today (November 6, 2013)
D.A.: Bell paid for mayor's hair plugs, councilman's weight-loss camp (November 7, 2013)
Bell trial: Spaccia feared police chief's salary would be spotted (November 8, 2013)
Bell's Spaccia reached out to D.A.'s office during Maywood inquiry (November 12, 2013)
Bell trial: 'Pigs get fat' email was only a joke, Spaccia testifies (November 13, 2013)
Ex-Bell leader Spaccia faces cross-examination in corruption trial (November 14, 2013)
In corruption trial, Bell's Spaccia struggles to explain salaries (November 14, 2013)
Bell trial: Document altered to give Rizzo even more power, D.A. says (November 15, 2013)
Several documents point to questionable action in Bell (November 15, 2013)
Prosecution begins closing argument in Angela Spaccia trial (November 20, 2013)
Rizzo, Spaccia were just 'pigs getting fat,' Bell D.A. says (November 20, 2013)
In Spaccia defense, a simple premise: Her high pay wasn't a crime (November 22, 2013)
Bell trial: Judge asks juror if he understands English (December 3, 2013)
Angela Spaccia found guilty in Bell corruption case (December 9, 2013)
The lesson of Bell: A watchful citizenry is still crucial (December 11, 2013)
Rizzo to plead guilty in tax scheme claiming $600,000 in fake losses (December 12, 2013)
Corruption-scarred Bell finds itself on better financial footing (December 22, 2013)
2013: A great year for scandal, incompetence and corruption (December 28, 2013)
Submissions from 2012
Bell hires as Rizzo replacement former El Segundo chief executive (May 21, 2012)
Former Bell officials' pensions reduced even further (June 18, 2012)
California disciplines accounting firm that missed Bell irregularities (June 22, 2012)
Fired Bell official's lawsuit says city owes him $837,000 (August 29, 2012)
Bell sues former Police Chief Randy Adams (September 4, 2012)
Former Bell police chief takes the Fifth 20 times (September 21, 2012)
Judge rejects former Bell police chief's bid to double pension (October 23, 2012)
Submissions from 2011
Robert Rizzo is serving time behind cars (January 13, 2011)
Bell City Council meeting canceled after two lawmakers fail to appear (January 27, 2011)
Bell could start running out of cash in May as deficit grows (February 3, 2011)
Bell councilman accuses colleagues of 'holding the city hostage' (February 4, 2011)
Bell officials reject deals from D.A.; critics say two years isn’t enough (February 7, 2011)
Robert Rizzo ordered Bell salary documents falsified, city clerk testifies (February 10, 2011)
Bell 8: Administrator who was paid more than $420,000 is offered immunity in corruption case (February 14, 2011)
In e-mails, Bell official discussed fat salaries (February 14, 2011)
Bell corruption case 'unfair, politically motivated' and should be dismissed, defense attorney says (February 16, 2011)
Bell will provide services even with council members barred from City Hall, official says (February 17, 2011)
City of Bell's budget mess is complicated by judge's order barring council members from City Hall (February 17, 2011)
Bell court hearing: City clerk testifies Rizzo asked her to doctor his contracts (March 3, 2011)
Bell's voters have a real choice this time, thanks to the scandal (March 4, 2011)
Bell City Council candidate dies (March 6, 2011)
Bell voters cast out the old and opt for the new (March 9, 2011)
Judge rebukes Bell leaders as he orders Rizzo to stand trial in salary scandal (March 11, 2011)
Legislature passes emergency law to seat new Bell City Council (March 21, 2011)
Money missing after deal in Bell (March 24, 2011)
Robert Rizzo, aide accused of conspiracy in Bell corruption scandal (March 31, 2011)
New Bell City Council sworn in amid promises to rebound from corruption scandal (April 7, 2011)
All-new Bell City Council is sworn in (April 8, 2011)
Bell City Council names new mayor (April 11, 2011)
Los Angeles Times wins 2 Pulitzer Prizes (April 19, 2011)
City of Bell hires a permanent city attorney (June 7, 2011)
Bell-related reform bill signed by governor (July 25, 2011)
Bell-related reform bill signed by governor (July 25, 2011)
Calpers Cutting Top-end Pension Benefits (August 9, 2011)
Bell hires 'one of the most respected city managers in California' (August 12, 2011)
Former Bell council members seek dismissal of corruption charges (November 16, 2011)
Serving on Bell council was like ‘winning the lottery,’ judge says (December 1, 2011)
Judge refuses to dismiss charges against ex-Bell council members (December 2, 2011)
Judge questions why Bell's former police chief isn't facing corruption charges (December 19, 2011)
Six former Bell council members lose appeal (December 31, 2011)
Submissions from 2010
Maywood to disband Police Department (June 17, 2010)
Bell council seeks resignations of 3 city officials (July 10, 2010)
Government officials' salaries (July 15, 2010)
Is A City Manager Worth $800,000? (July 15, 2010)
$787,000 salary for Bell city manager is outrageous, assemblyman says (July 16, 2010)
Residents of Bell unhappy over high salaries for city employees (July 16, 2010)
Residents irate as Bell council requests report on salaries (July 20, 2010)
Bell city manager received alcohol counseling after March DUI arrest (July 22, 2010)
Bell council found loophole in law to allow big salaries (July 22, 2010)
3 Bell leaders to quit in pay scandal (July 23, 2010)
Bell council used little-noticed ballot measure to skirt state salary limits (July 23, 2010)
Bell council agrees to roll back its salary 90% (July 26, 2010)
Bell council members cut salaries 90%; some will forgo pay (July 27, 2010)
L.A. County D.A. expands probe into Bell government (July 28, 2010)
Bell residents paid huge tax bills in addition to huge salaries, records show (July 29, 2010)
Dismayed by Bell city salaries, Downey removes city attorney (July 29, 2010)
Bell withholds public records (August 3, 2010)
Bell City Council declines to hire lawyer who approved lavish pay for top officials (August 4, 2010)
Voters in Bell tell of possible fraud (August 5, 2010)
Bell salaries raise more concerns about CalPERS (August 6, 2010)
Rizzo's compensation totaled $1.5 million a year, Bell records show (August 7, 2010)
Bell councilman 'ashamed,' 'disgusted' that Rizzo earned $1.5 million (August 8, 2010)
Bell council will cut pay 90%, sources say (August 8, 2010)
What city managers usually earn (August 8, 2010)
Bell launches search for new police chief (August 11, 2010)
Bell must give up $2.9 million in illegal property taxes (August 14, 2010)
Council pay in Vernon, Inglewood and Compton is high, but Bell is still No. 1. (August 15, 2010)
Bell residents protest as City Council prepares to meet about reforms (August 16, 2010)
Bell stuck in a money rut (August 16, 2010)
Bell city leaders approve reforms in wake of salary scandal (August 17, 2010)
Rizzo, other Bell officials got nearly $900,000 in loans from city (August 17, 2010)
Rizzo's horse had come in (August 22, 2010)
Bell council was paid for boards that seldom met (August 25, 2010)
Bell residents take first steps to recall council members (August 25, 2010)
Bell gave secret loans to two businesses (August 31, 2010)
Rizzo loaned Bell's money to firms (September 1, 2010)
Bell assessed illegal sewer fees (September 3, 2010)
Bell subpoenas Rizzo's personal e-mail account to see if he was using it to conduct city business (September 3, 2010)
Bell decides to cancel contract to manage Maywood (September 4, 2010)
Federal probe targets possible civil rights violations in Bell (September 10, 2010)
Jerry Brown wants Bell officials to resign, give up pensions; says they defrauded public (September 15, 2010)
Rizzo obscured true salary (September 15, 2010)
Auditors find 3rd instance of illegal Bell taxes (September 17, 2010)
Bell residents question city's grass-roots organization (September 18, 2010)
Cheers, dancing in Bell as city leaders charged (September 21, 2010)
Bell leaders hauled off in cuffs (September 22, 2010)
Former Bell police chief had a lucrative tax angle for retirement (September 23, 2010)
Bell residents to deliver recall petitions to county registrar (September 29, 2010)
Bell City Council fails to hold meeting (October 4, 2010)
Bell City Council may be unable to meet with one member in jail; second member set to make announcement (October 4, 2010)
Injury cited by ex-Bell police chief in disability pension claim didn't prevent him from exercising (October 5, 2010)
Bell council initially agreed to severance package for Rizzo, source says (October 7, 2010)
Rizzo says Bell owes him more money and should still be paying his salary (October 7, 2010)
Tipster in Bell scandal waited months for D.A., then was arrested (October 11, 2010)
Amid budget crisis, state balks at limiting checkpoint impounds (October 12, 2010)
L.A. County auditors to examine Bell's finances (October 20, 2010)
Rizzo, other Bell officials misused affordable-housing funds, state audit finds (October 20, 2010)
Cooley's office defends slow investigation into Bell (October 28, 2010)
Will Bell City Council show up for Monday night's meeting? (November 1, 2010)
Bell demanded extra fees from some businesses (November 2, 2010)
Bell City Council seats up for grabs in March election; new leaders being sought (November 16, 2010)
City of Bell: Rizzo steered $700,000-plus to firms or individuals without approval, competitive bids or legal contracts, audit says (November 18, 2010)
Civic group will ask candidates to provide information for credit and criminal checks (December 11, 2010)
Bell council meeting ends when 2 members walk out (December 13, 2010)
Bell nearly broke, faces drastic cuts, audit finds (December 18, 2010)
Audits of Bell were 'rubber-stamp,' state controller says (December 22, 2010)
How Bell hit bottom (December 28, 2010)