Bell City Corruption Verdict: The Day After - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Bell City Corruption Verdict: The Day After

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Bell, CA -

(FOX 11) You would think that after all the City of Bell went through this would be a day to rejoice; A day you would find people would be walking around smiling because on Tuesday five former council members, including ex-mayor Oscar Hernandez, were convicted of misappropriating public funds.

There is a sense of relief. As I walked around streets here some people told me "justice was served."

Councilman Nestor Valencia, who was with one of the groups fighting for change when the old council was unseated, says he wishes all of the counts would have stuck and ex-councilman Luis Artiga would have been convicted instead of acquitted, but the outcome is a good one. He admits there are still tensions in this city and many legal battles ahead including the main bout coming up with Bell's former City Manager Robert Rizzo and his Assistant City Manager Angela Spaccia.

One thing I couldn't help notice were the tears dripping down Linda Hutson's face as we talked about the verdicts. She was angry. She's lived in Bell for 29 years. Lost her home. She's had a tough time. She says she used to do things to help the old council. Now, she feels they "stabbed me in the back." Now, she says, people are hurting.

 

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