BELL, Calif., Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Eight defendants in the city hall corruption case in Bell, Calif., pleaded innocent Thursday to charges of misappropriating more than $5 million in city funds.
The defendants, all current or former officials in the small Los Angeles County city, were ordered to return to court Dec. 8 for scheduling of a preliminary hearing.
The Los Angeles Times said the defendants had nothing to say at Thursday's court appearance, which had been delayed for a few hours.
The scandal involves the alleged looting of the treasury in the blue-collar, largely Hispanic community by the mayor, city manager and members of the council. The defendants allegedly approved lavish salaries and perks for themselves with virtually no oversight, and even raised taxes and fees to provide the money for their raises.
Prosecutors allege former city manager Robert Rizzo was the ringleader of the scam. He faces 53 counts, including misappropriation of public funds, conflict of interest and falsification of documents.
